2019 Banquet Adult Award Honorees

CW5 Gary Linfoot US Army (Ret) and his wife Mari Skogen Linfoot were co-recipients of the Fred Russell Distinguished Americans Award.  This is our chapter’s highest award.  Gary is a highly-decorated special operations helicopter pilot injured in a crash while deployed and is now assisting with the development of the EXSO exoskeleton which allows those paralyzed to walk again.  Mari is assisting as they were given an exoskeleton for home use.

The Fred Russell Distinguished American Award recognizes supporters of American values and the Midstate community. First presented in 1969, it is named in honor of Mr. Russell, the former sports editor for Nashville’s afternoon newspaper, the Nashville Banner, from 1930-98. Russel was a founding member of this NFF chapter and won the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation. Russell is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

The late Sam Bartholomew was recognized as a co-honoree of this year’s Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award.  He was a very successful attorney who had a hand in many significant sporting events in Nashville for several decades.  He was a founding member of the Nashville Sports Council, the Music City Bowl and served on many boards including this chapter of the NFF and is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Lester McClain was recognized as a co-honoree for this chapter's "Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award."  McClain attended Nashville's Haynes High School his first three years because as an African American, he was not allowed to attend Antioch, the school closest to his home.  Was allowed to attend Antioch his senior season where he earned all city honors before signing a scholarship to play at the University of Tennessee.

Presenting award to McClain (second from left) are board members John Major, Kippy Brown and Larry Taft.

McClain made history when he became the first African American at Tennessee to play in an SEC football game against Georgia.  His performance at UT resulted in him being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1971.  He is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the UT Athletics Hall of Fame and has enjoyed a very successful career as an insurance agent in Nashville.

Josh Poplar was the 2019 recipient of the Bonnie Sloan Courage Award.  Poplar was a linebacker at Tennessee Tech preparing for the upcoming season when he suffered a stroke during the 2017 fall camp.  He was unable to play that season and spent the campaign as a student assistant.  Poplar fought his way back on the team during the 2018 season and became the top linebacker on his team last year.

Presenting the award to Poplar are NFF board member Ray Thomas (who coached Sloan at Austin Peay), Bonnie Sloan, Poplar and NFF board member Dewayne Alexander, who was also Poplar's head coach at Tenn Tech.

This award is named for Bonnie Sloan who attended Nashville's Litton High School before twice earning All-Ohio Valley Conference honors as a lineman at Austin Peay.  He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 but a knee injury cut short his NFL career after only one season.  Sloan accomplished these feats despite being deaf and is one of only three deaf players to ever play in the NFL.  Poplar communicated with Sloan at the banquet using sign language as both of Poplar's parents are deaf.  This award is presented to a Midstate player, coach or staff member who faced obstacles and fought back to succeed in the spirit of Sloan!

Roy Woods was the winner of the 2019 Art Demmas Outstanding Officials Award.  Woods played college football at Tennessee State and when his playing career was over he knew he wanted to remain close to the game.  His avenue of accomplishing that goal was to become an official and he has been involved as an official in a variety of levels for over 40 years.  He has worked as high school official and also on the college level calling games for the Ohio Valley Conference.  Following the conclusion of his on-field work, he returned to the high school level and assisted the Middle Tennessee Football Officials Association before being appointed to his current position as a state supervisor.  This award named for this NFF chapter co-founder Art Demmas, who played football at Vanderbilt and was an NFL official from 1970-96.  Demmas worked four Super Bowls during his career and after retiring from the field he assisted the NFL officiating department by reviewing games and grading their officials.

Presenting Woods the award are NFF board member Junior Ward (left) and Bill Marbet, last year's Demmas Award winner.