Jerry Rice, Walter Payton and the 30 best HBCU football players of all time
By Dante Pryor
4. Jackie Slater, offensive tackle, Jackson State University
Jackie Slater, another member of Jackson State’s famed 1974 team, is one of the great offensive linemen in NFL history. Slater did not play much during his first three years in the league, but in 1979, Slater started and did not relinquish his role until he retired in 1995.
Slater was the anchor of one of the best offensive lines of the 1980s. Alongside fellow Pro Bowl linemen Ken Hill and Dennis Harrah, Slater was the leader of an offensive line that paved the way for record-breaking running back Eric Dickerson.
Slater was a physical run blocker and graceful pass blocker. In 1979, his first year as a starter, the Rams went to the Super Bowl, and Slater held Steelers defensive lineman LC Greenwood without a sack. In 1983, the Rams allowed a league-low 23 sacks while paving the way for Eric Dickerson’s rookie-record 1,808 rushing yards.
Slater’s best playoff game came against the Philadelphia Eagles and fellow Hall of Famer Reggie White. Slater held White without a sack; 1989 was White’s fifth of nine years with double-digit sacks.
Slater’s longevity was unmatched when he retired. Slaters 259 games played was most all-time when he retired. Bruce Matthews broke the streak in 1999.
Slater was the first to play 20 years with one franchise.
Darrell Green (Washington), Jason Hanson (Detroit), and Tom Brady (New England) are the only others with 20 years with one franchise. Slater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.