Duke Slater
Inducted:
2020
Player Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Born:
December 9, 1898
Normal, Illinois, U.S.
Died:
August 14, 1966
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Position:
Tackle
College:
Centenary (1922–1924)
Iowa (1918–1921)
Duke Slater was one of the earliest and most influential linemen in professional football, breaking barriers and excelling during an era when opportunities for Black athletes were extremely limited. Joining the NFL in 1922, he became a standout tackle for the Milwaukee Badgers and later the Chicago Cardinals, where his strength, quickness, and technical skill made him one of the league’s most respected players. Slater earned widespread recognition for his dominance in the trenches, consistently excelling against some of the best linemen of his time.
His durability was remarkable—he reportedly played more than 10 seasons without missing a game. Slater’s impact extended off the field as well, paving the way for future generations of Black athletes in pro football. After retiring, he went on to a successful legal career and became one of the first Black judges in Chicago. Duke Slater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, honoring his pioneering legacy.
Slater's Awards and Honors
- 4× First-team All-Pro (1923, 1925, 1927, 1929)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1924, 1930)
- National champion (1921)
- 3× First-team All-Big Ten (1919–1921)
NFL Records
- One of the first Black stars in NFL history
- Played more than 10 seasons without missing a game
- Key lineman during the early growth of professional football
NFL Teams
Rock Island Independents (1922,1923–1926)
Milwaukee Badgers (1922)
Chicago Cardinals (1926–1931)
Number Worn:
14, 16, 7, 47
NFL Stats
Seasons:
10 (1922–1931)
Games played:
90
Games started:
87
Touchdowns scored:
1
National champion:
1 (1921)