Duke Slater
Encyclopedia
Frederick Wayman "Duke" Slater (December 9, 1898 in Normal, Illinois
– August 14, 1966) was an American football
player and one of the great black players of his era. Slater played for the University of Iowa
in college and played professionally for ten years. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame
.
George Slater forbade Duke to go out for football at Clinton High because he didn't want Duke injured in the rough sport. Duke did anyway, but his dad discovered it when he saw his wife sewing up the rips in the ragged uniform that had been issued to Duke. Brokenhearted Duke went on a hunger strike for several days. Finally, his father acquiesced on the condition that Duke must be careful to avoid injury. As a result, Duke was always careful to never complain or let anyone see his injuries. George Slater would eventually become one of Duke's biggest fans.
Every player needed to provide their own shoes and helmet. Since Reverend Slater could not afford both, Duke decided he needed shoes more. He played every game at Clinton High without a helmet. Meanwhile, Duke's feet were so big, his shoes had to be special ordered from Chicago. Duke played well for Clinton High, leading them to the Iowa state championship game in 1914. The title game against West Des Moines High ended in a 13-13 tie. West Des Moines was led by Aubrey Devine
, Slater's teammate at Iowa.
in 1918, eligibility rules had been suspended due to World War I
. Therefore, Slater was able to play and letter at Iowa
as a freshman. He was selected to the all-Iowa team as a freshman by the Des Moines Register
. As a sophomore in 1919, Slater was a unanimous first team All-Big Ten
selection and a second team All-American
.
Slater was again a unanimous first team All-Big Ten
selection in 1920. In his senior year in 1921, Slater led Iowa to a perfect 7-0 record and its first Big Ten title in 21 years. Slater helped Iowa defeat Notre Dame
, 10-7, to snap a 20 game winning streak for coach Knute Rockne
's Irish. One of the greatest photographs in the history of Iowa football is from that game, depicting a helmetless Slater clearing a hole for teammate Gordon Locke
by blocking three Notre Dame defenders.
Sportswriter Walter Eckersall said, "Slater is so powerful that one man cannot handle him and opposing elevens have found it necessary to send two men against him every time a play was sent off his side of the line." Fritz Crisler
said, "Duke Slater was the best tackle I ever played against. I tried to block him throughout my college career but never once did I impede his progress to the ball carrier." Slater's Iowa teams had a combined record of 23-6-1. Duke Slater was not only named first team All-Big Ten
for the third consecutive year in 1921; Slater was also a first team All-American
, making him the first black All-American
at Iowa.
Duke Slater is a member of The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.
National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
In 1926, Duke married Etta Searcy, herself a preacher's daughter. Duke then played 54 games with the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) from 1926-1931. In two of his 10 seasons, 1927 and 1929, Slater was the only black player in the NFL
. He was a five-time second team All-NFL selection.
Duke Slater retired from football in 1931. He had gone back to Iowa in the off-seasons and earned his law degree in 1928. Slater practiced law while playing his final few years of professional football. After retirement, he moved to Chicago and became an assistant district attorney. In 1948, Duke was elected as a Municipal Court judge in Cook County, Illinois. Duke Slater died at age 67 of stomach cancer; he had no children.
Duke Slater continued to play a prominent role with the Hawkeye football team after retirement. He attended numerous Iowa games, often accompanied by Ozzie Simmons
. Slater, the hero of Iowa's 1921 upset of Notre Dame, watched with tears in his eyes from the sidelines as Nile Kinnick
crashed across the goal line for Iowa's only score in a 7-6 upset of Notre Dame in 1939. He was also on the field and in the locker room to congratulate Alex Karras
and the rest of the Iowa team after they defeated Ohio State to clinch the Big Ten title in 1956.
in the Hall's inaugural year in 1951, joining Nile Kinnick
, Aubrey Devine
, Jay Berwanger
, and Elmer Layden
.
Duke Slater is one of two Iowa players who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
in its inaugural year of 1951 (Nile Kinnick
was the other). In the 1960s, before Iowa Stadium
had been renamed after Nile Kinnick
, some suggested that Iowa should name the stadium after Slater. Instead, the University of Iowa
named a residence hall after Duke. Slater Hall in Iowa City bears Duke's name; it is the only residence hall at Iowa named after a former athlete.
Normal, Illinois
Normal is an incorporated town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. It had a population of 52,497 as of the 2010 census. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
– August 14, 1966) was an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and one of the great black players of his era. Slater played for the University of Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in college and played professionally for ten years. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Background
Fred Slater was born in Illinois in 1898, the son of George Slater, a Methodist minister. Fred Slater had four sisters and a brother, and their mother died when Slater was 11 years old; Fred's father remarried two years later. As a boy, Fred Slater somehow picked up the name of the family dog, Duke, as a personal nickname. When Duke Slater was 13 years old, the family moved after George Slater became pastor of the Methodist church in Clinton, Iowa.George Slater forbade Duke to go out for football at Clinton High because he didn't want Duke injured in the rough sport. Duke did anyway, but his dad discovered it when he saw his wife sewing up the rips in the ragged uniform that had been issued to Duke. Brokenhearted Duke went on a hunger strike for several days. Finally, his father acquiesced on the condition that Duke must be careful to avoid injury. As a result, Duke was always careful to never complain or let anyone see his injuries. George Slater would eventually become one of Duke's biggest fans.
Every player needed to provide their own shoes and helmet. Since Reverend Slater could not afford both, Duke decided he needed shoes more. He played every game at Clinton High without a helmet. Meanwhile, Duke's feet were so big, his shoes had to be special ordered from Chicago. Duke played well for Clinton High, leading them to the Iowa state championship game in 1914. The title game against West Des Moines High ended in a 13-13 tie. West Des Moines was led by Aubrey Devine
Aubrey Devine
Aubrey A. Devine was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-Background:...
, Slater's teammate at Iowa.
College career
When Slater arrived at IowaIowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
in 1918, eligibility rules had been suspended due to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Therefore, Slater was able to play and letter at Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
as a freshman. He was selected to the all-Iowa team as a freshman by the Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
. As a sophomore in 1919, Slater was a unanimous first team All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
selection and a second team All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
.
Slater was again a unanimous first team All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
selection in 1920. In his senior year in 1921, Slater led Iowa to a perfect 7-0 record and its first Big Ten title in 21 years. Slater helped Iowa defeat Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, 10-7, to snap a 20 game winning streak for coach Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
's Irish. One of the greatest photographs in the history of Iowa football is from that game, depicting a helmetless Slater clearing a hole for teammate Gordon Locke
Gordon Locke
Gordon C. Locke was an American football player and coach in the United States. He played college football at the University of Iowa, where he was a two-time All-American...
by blocking three Notre Dame defenders.
Sportswriter Walter Eckersall said, "Slater is so powerful that one man cannot handle him and opposing elevens have found it necessary to send two men against him every time a play was sent off his side of the line." Fritz Crisler
Fritz Crisler
Herbert Orin "Fritz" Crisler was an American football coach who is best known as "the father of two-platoon football," an innovation in which separate units of players were used for offense and defense. Crisler developed two-platoon football while serving as head coach at the University of...
said, "Duke Slater was the best tackle I ever played against. I tried to block him throughout my college career but never once did I impede his progress to the ball carrier." Slater's Iowa teams had a combined record of 23-6-1. Duke Slater was not only named first team All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
for the third consecutive year in 1921; Slater was also a first team All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
, making him the first black All-American
College Football All-America Team
The College Football All-America Team is an honor given annually to the best American college football players at their respective positions. The original usage of the term All-America seems to have been to the 1889 College Football All-America Team selected by Casper Whitney and published in This...
at Iowa.
Duke Slater is a member of The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.
The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.
The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Inc. was founded in 1938 with the goals of "improving relationship between persons interested in the game of football; that there may be given encouragement for good, clean sport; that there may be a more perfect understanding among such persons; and, that...
National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
Professional career and retirement
Duke Slater also earned three varsity letters for the Iowa track team, throwing the shot and discus. After graduating from Iowa, he played ten years of professional football. Slater played two games with the Milwaukee Badgers in 1922 and had a four year career with the Rock Island Independents. Duke played 43 games for Rock Island from 1922-1925.In 1926, Duke married Etta Searcy, herself a preacher's daughter. Duke then played 54 games with the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) from 1926-1931. In two of his 10 seasons, 1927 and 1929, Slater was the only black player in the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was a five-time second team All-NFL selection.
Duke Slater retired from football in 1931. He had gone back to Iowa in the off-seasons and earned his law degree in 1928. Slater practiced law while playing his final few years of professional football. After retirement, he moved to Chicago and became an assistant district attorney. In 1948, Duke was elected as a Municipal Court judge in Cook County, Illinois. Duke Slater died at age 67 of stomach cancer; he had no children.
Duke Slater continued to play a prominent role with the Hawkeye football team after retirement. He attended numerous Iowa games, often accompanied by Ozzie Simmons
Ozzie Simmons
Oze E. "Ozzie" Simmons was a college football player for the University of Iowa. Simmons, nicknamed the "Ebony Eel", was one of the first black All-American football players in the 1930s.-Background:...
. Slater, the hero of Iowa's 1921 upset of Notre Dame, watched with tears in his eyes from the sidelines as Nile Kinnick
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
crashed across the goal line for Iowa's only score in a 7-6 upset of Notre Dame in 1939. He was also on the field and in the locker room to congratulate Alex Karras
Alex Karras
Alexander George "Alex" Karras , nicknamed "The Mad Duck", is a former football player, professional wrestler, and actor, best known for his stint with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964-1970 and for his role as Mongo in the film Blazing Saddles...
and the rest of the Iowa team after they defeated Ohio State to clinch the Big Ten title in 1956.
Honors
In 1989, Iowa fans selected an all-time University of Iowa football team during the 100th anniversary celebration of Iowa football, and Duke Slater was selected as an offensive tackle. Slater was one of just five football players inducted into the Iowa Sports Hall of FameIowa Sports Hall of Fame
The Iowa Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Des Moines Register, honors outstanding athletes and sports contributors. To be eligible, members must have either been born in Iowa or gained prominence while competing for a college or university in Iowa....
in the Hall's inaugural year in 1951, joining Nile Kinnick
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
, Aubrey Devine
Aubrey Devine
Aubrey A. Devine was a college football player for the University of Iowa. He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.-Background:...
, Jay Berwanger
Jay Berwanger
John Jacob "Jay" Berwanger was an American football halfback born in Dubuque, Iowa. He was the first winner of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy in 1935 ; the trophy is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player...
, and Elmer Layden
Elmer Layden
Elmer Francis Layden was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame where he starred at fullback as a member of the legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield...
.
Duke Slater is one of two Iowa players who was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in its inaugural year of 1951 (Nile Kinnick
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
was the other). In the 1960s, before Iowa Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
had been renamed after Nile Kinnick
Nile Kinnick
Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. was a student and a college football player at the University of Iowa. He won the 1939 Heisman Trophy and was a consensus All-American. He died during a training flight while serving as a U.S Navy aviator in World War II...
, some suggested that Iowa should name the stadium after Slater. Instead, the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
named a residence hall after Duke. Slater Hall in Iowa City bears Duke's name; it is the only residence hall at Iowa named after a former athlete.
External links
- Dan Daly, Washington Times, February 4, 2006 This Duke Deserves Induction in Hall
- Slater's Register Hall of Fame Biography
- College Football Hall of Fame Biography