The award is named in honor of Fred Russell who is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame .
Fred Russell is the former sports editor for the Nashville Banner from 1930 to 1998 .
The award is named in honor of Fred Russell , the former sports editor for the Nashville Banner from 1930 to 1998 , who is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame .