2017 Banquet Adult Award Honorees

Brigadier General Scott E. Brower received this chapter’s highest award from NFF chapter president John Major (left) and chapter president emeritus Bob Hyde.

This award recognizes a local supporter of American values and the Midstate community. First presented in 1969, it is named in honor of 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 one 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.

BG Brower shares the commonality of teamwork among football team members and members of the military during his acceptance address to more than 650 banquet attendees.

BG Brower shared the excitement of the moment with his family. From left NFF chapter president John Major, wife Jennifer, BG Brower, daughter Jordan Sahms, son-in-law 1LT Robert Sahms and chapter president-emeritus Bob Hyde.

Tim Shaw (fourth from left) received this year’s “Bonnie Sloan Courage Award.” From left are Tim’s parents John and Laura Shaw, Bonnie Sloan, Tim Shaw, Titans Assistant Head Coach and award presenter Steve Watterson and Tim’s brother Andrew Shaw.

Tim’s fight against ALS is one of the most courageous stories in today’s sports world. The former Titans linebacker (2010-12) and special teams captain has written a book, “Blitz Your Life, Stories from an NFL and ALS Warrior.” Copies of the book was given to all 61 high school and seven collegiate honorees. This award was first presented in 2008 to Bonnie Sloan and subsequently presented in his honor. Sloan attended Nashville’s Issac Litton High School and Austin Peay State University, where he was an all Ohio Valley Conference tackle in 1971-72. He reached the pinnacle of his sport when he became the first deaf player to be drafted in the NFL by the St. Louis Cardinals. Tim Shaw attended Livonia (MI) Clarenceville High before becoming a standout linebacker at Penn State, where he was an Academic All-American selection in 2006. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2007 and played with the Jaguars (2008) and Bears (2009) before joining the Titans in 2010. He was a force on the Titans special teams and was that unit’s captain in both 2011-12. He revealed he has ALS in 2014. During the Titans 2016 training camp, he signed a “Titans for Life” contract and assisted the coaching staff in many areas. On February 22, 2017 at a Titans season ticket holder event, Shaw was named “Most Inspirational Titan” for the 2016 season.

Tim Shaw gave a very emotional acceptance speech, expressed by many NFF board members as among the top speeches given in the annual banquet’s recent history.

Shaw challenged the high school and collegiate honorees to strive to do their best, set no limit to their expectations. Words from the final page of Shaw’s book: “…while I battle this disease, I not only want you to pursue, I want you to blitz your life. Run at it with all you have. Run full speed. Don’t waste any more time.”

Steve Watterson was a guest presenter for the 2016 Bonnie Sloan Award.

Watterson is now in his 31st year with the Titans and is currently the Assistant Head Coach / Strength & Conditioning Coach. Watterson had a close relationship with Shaw when Tim played for the team and that bond has strengthened since Tim’s ALS diagnosis.

David White (center) received the “2016 Art Demmas Outstanding Official Award” from NFF board members Tom Ritter (left) and Junior Ward.

White has been an official for 28 years and has officiated more than 300 Tennessee high school football games since 1989, including a 2011 state championship game. He also has officiated Mid-South Conference games in the NAIA since 2010, including the 2016 NAIA Championship. White also was an NFL referee for six games in 2012.

NFF board member Tom Ritter, a prominent member of the SEC’s football officiating department, introduced David White as the recipient of the “Art Demmas Outstanding Official Award.”

David White encouraged attendees to investigate opportunities to become football officials, citing a critical need to have qualified game officials for all levels of our great game of football.

Eleanor Satterfield and her son Clint Satterfield (third from left) were presented with the “Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award.” Eleanor accepted on behalf of her late husband, Jim B. Satterfield. Presenting the awards was NFF board members Mike Organ (left) and Larry Taft.

In a rare presentation to a father / son for the same award, the chapter recognized the amazing accomplishments of these two men with the Trousdale County High School in Hartsville. With the late Jim B. Satterfield and his son Clint adding to his legacy, the family has been involved with the program as a player, coach or director of schools for over 60 years. The elder Satterfield was a Korean War veteran and Bronze Star honoree and won over 200 games and a state championship after returning home to coach his alma mater in 1954. He continued to coach during his 26 years as the county’s director of schools. Clint Satterfield also went back home to begin his coaching career, starting in 1984. During his 24 seasons as head coach, he guided the Yellow Jackets to 239 wins and five state championships before moving on to become director of schools. Last spring, Clint was inducted into the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, joining his father, who was a 1987 inductee.

Clint Satterfield shares his reflections of his family’s 60 years of dedication and success at Trousdale County High School. He stated that sharing this award with his late father was a very special moment and he was so very pleased that his mother Eleanor was there to share the moment.

BG Scott Brower with banquet sponsor Bill Hawkins.