Fred Russell

Who was Fred Russell?

Fred Russell was an American sports writer prominent in the Golden Era of Sports in the 20th century. He was a lifelong resident of Nashville, Tennessee and was sports editor and later Vice-President of the Nashville Banner daily newspaper.

Russell is a member of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. One of his most enduring legacies was his influence on collegiate sports, specifically as Chairman of the Honors Court of the College Football Hall of Fame for 29 years. The Honors Court determines the inductees to the Hall of Fame.

As a journalist, he was known for his dedication, fairness and positive writing style. He was also known for his unprejudiced coverage of all people regardless of race, creed or religion. In addition, Russell was known for his sports humor and practical jokes. He published three books of sports humor in the 1940s.

Russell was a protégé and friend of famed sportswriter Grantland Rice. Both Rice and Russell were from Middle Tennessee and both attended and graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.