Middle Tennessee Chapter

One of the most respected chapters in the National Football Foundation, the Middle Tennessee Chapter was founded in 1961 by Fred Russell, Harold "Cotton" Clark and NFF South Region coordinator and former NFL referee, Art Demmas. The chapter holds many outstanding events during the year that support the mission of the NFF.

The annual spring awards dinner honors 56 high school seniors and seven collegiate seniors for outstanding academic and athletic achievement. These young men are true role models in school and in the community. Each high school senior receives a partial scholarships toward college tuition. The overall high school winner receives the coveted Admiral William P. Lawrence award, and the overall collegiate winner receives the Coach Bill Pace University Scholar-Athlete award. To recognize other outstanding leaders that support amateur football, additional awards presented at the banquet are: the Fred Russell Distinguished American, Roy Kramer Contribution to Football, Joe L. Worden Courage Award, NFL Players Association Inspiration Award, Jim Barrom Spirit Award and the Outstanding Official.

Click here for the 2025 NFF Middle Tennessee Chapter Dinner Program.
 

Elias Franks of Montgomery Bell Academy, joined by College HOFer Steve Hutchinson (Michigan on the left) and NFL & Middle Tennessee State star Kelly Holcomb.

The NFF Middle Tennessee Chapter presented Elias Franks of Montgomery Bell Academy its Admiral William Lawrence Award while also naming him the outpost's 2025 NFF Team of Distinction pick. He is joined by College HOFer Steve Hutchinson (Michigan on the left) and NFL & Middle Tennessee State star Kelly Holcomb.
 
 
Eddie George, Jalen McClendon and Kevin Dyson

Tennessee State Coach Eddie George (CHOF Inductee from Ohio State), TSU Chaplain Lee Brown (2025 Fred Russell Distinguished Award recipient), Tennessee State DB Jalen McClendon (Chapter University Scholar-Athlete honoree) and former Utah and NFL player Kevin Dyson at the NFF Middle Tennessee Chapter event.