Pursuing a future in football, roommates Jamelle Eugene and DaJuan Morgan parted ways. But the former NC State football players crossed paths again — an idea scribbled on a cocktail napkin catalyzed a reunion in an unforeseen field.
After graduating, Eugene prepared for the NFL Draft. Acquiring a hamstring injury, he worked out for the United Football League. On a humdrum flight to one of his workouts, Eugene realized he hadn’t caught a pass in some time.
“Jamelle wore tape because he didn’t like gloves and the lack of ball security, which is a running back’s main priority — being in control of the ball and having that tactile sensation,” Morgan said.
Hunched over a plastic tray table, Eugene sketched a product that would provide him the grip of gloves without sacrificing the protection of athletic tape.
“He contacted me and presented the idea,” Morgan said. “I was immediately on board. We took what was on the napkin and made Gryppers what it is today.”
But it was no strange phone call. Granted that Morgan played in the NFL, they still kept contact; in 2008, they watched Super Bowl XLIII together in Tampa.
“I contacted Jamelle and had him come with me to get that experience,” Morgan said. “We were very close prior to forming the business.”
The duo began researching and forming what would ultimately become its first prototype. With no rival inventions on the market, the duo entered the wearisome chore that is the patent process.
“We were working with a company that was basically a liaison between domestic companies and international manufacturers,” Eugene said. “We gave them a contract and a rough sketch of the prototype that we had designed and worked back and forth. It was a lengthy process, because the first prototype was done mostly overseas. We had to do conference calls in the middle of the night because of the time difference.”
Yet, Gryppers still needed work. Last year, the duo consulted the Poole Entrepreneurship Clinic and the College of Textiles’ senior design program, which were pivotal in advancing the product.
“Before, it was a cut-and-sew kind of product,” Eugene said. “The way we’re doing it now is creating the product directly from the yarn. We’re utilizing thermo reactive yarns with anti-microbial properties. Now, we’re able to control what’s going into the yarns and the product as a whole, as opposed to being dictated by what yarns are in a given material.”
With the help of seniors Shannon Tart, Desirae Scruggs and James McLean, Gryppers curated a new and improved design. Morgan said the students took the product to a whole new level, creating a stronger grip and eliminating the seam to improve the elasticity and durability.
“It’s been great,” Eugene said. “The students are really knowledgeable; they were able to get us to the point that we’re attractive to consumers. They’ve educated us along this path that we’ve been on and have definitely given us a different vision and view of what product development is; I can’t praise them and Brian Davis from the knitting lab enough!”
Gryppers fits over each individual finger, similar to a sleeve, aiding the prevention of cuts, abrasions and blisters.
“We use our protective compression technology to stabilize the finger ligaments,” Eugene said. “On top of that, we have a gripping mechanism that creates friction between surfaces.”
Last month, Gryppers received a $50,000 grant from the NC IDEA Foundation, which supports entrepreneurial initiatives. Additionally, Gryppers was a finalist in the Under Armour’s Future Show in 2013.
The new creation will be released next month, in red, black and royal blue.
According to Morgan, Gryppers can be used across multiple platforms. Construction workers, drummers, cameramen and bartenders are a few of the many professionals who enjoy the product. The product is applicable to virtually any dexterity requiring digital agility.
“That’s what’s unique about our product; it’s not limited to one sport, or sports in general,” Eugene said. “It’s really wherever you need grip or protection.”
Players from NC State’s football team have also tested Gryppers, providing feedback on the product after wearing them in games and practices.
“If we could get everyone from gloves to Gryppers, that’s an ultimate goal,” Morgan said. “Our product is so unique that it can be worn in tandem with a traditional glove; it’s small and thin enough. At that point, you’d take away from the gripping mechanism, but you’d still have the compression that a traditional glove doesn’t give you to stabilize the joints.”
Last year, Morgan returned to NC State to finish his degree in sports management. According to Morgan, what he learned in the classroom had real-life applications, aligning with Gryppers’ business protocol.
“NC State has been very instrumental in developing the product and forming relationships to help sell the product,” Morgan said. “It’s come full circle, [such as] having relationships with professors that allowed us to work with engineers to help form the product.”
To find out more about Gryppers, visit their website here.
A version of this article appeared in print on July 21, 2016 on page 7 with the headline “Gryppers kick off new design.”