2020 Banquet Adult Award Honorees

Woody Hunt (center) was presented the Fred Russell Distinguished American Award, this chapter's most prestigious adult award.  Hunt is the long-time baseball coach at Cumberland University.  Chapter board members DeJeay Woods (left) and Dewayne Alexander presented the award to Hunt.

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.

Larry Taft (center) was a co-honoree of the Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award.  As a journalist, Taft championed high school football throughout his 35-year career, which culminated as the sports editor for The Tennessean in Nashville.  Presenting Taft the award was NFF board members Ronnie Carter (left) and Mike Organ.

The Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award is presented to a local individual who has been instrumental in promoting the game of football with the highest level of leadership, integrity and participation  The award is named in honor of the former SEC Commissioner and Vanderbilt Athletic Director Roy Kramer.

Eddie George (center) was a co-honoree of the Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award.  George has continued to support the game of football following his NFL career which saw the Tennessee Titans great have his jersey number 27 retired and inducted into the team's Ring of Honor during the 2019 Titans season.  George earned the 1995 Heisman Trophy award and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.  Presenting George this honor was NFF board members Bob Hyde (left) and John Major.

The Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award is presented to a local individual who has been instrumental in promoting the game of football with the highest level of leadership, integrity and participation  The award is named in honor of the former SEC Commissioner and Vanderbilt Athletic Director Roy Kramer.

Christion Abercrombie (second from left) was this year's recipient of the Bonnie Sloan Courage Award.  Abercrombie suffered a serious brain injury as a member of the Tennessee State University football team in a game versus Vanderbilt.in 2018.  His lengthy recovery continues and he now plans to complete his education at TSU and hopes to become a football coach following graduation. Presenting the award was (from left) Jeff Porter, Bonnie Sloan and Mark North.

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!

David Patton (center) was the winner of the 2020 Art Demmas Outstanding Officials Award.  Patton has proudly officiated football games every season since 1983 and in the upcoming 2020 season, he will begin his fifth decade in this important role of our game.  He has called almost 2,000 games at various levels in his career, including a TSSAA state championships in 2005 and 2019 

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 Patton the award are NFF board members  Junior Ward (left) and Walter Overton.