Duke Slater

Frederick Wayman “Duke” Slater

(1898–1966)

Football Pioneer and Legal Scholar

Introduction: Frederick Wayman “Duke” Slater was a trailblazing figure in American football history, known for his remarkable achievements both on and off the field. Enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and honored as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Centennial Class in 2020, Slater’s legacy extends beyond his athletic prowess.

Early Life and High School Football:

  • Born in Illinois in 1898, Duke Slater acquired his lifelong nickname from the family dog and carried it with him.
  • Initially discouraged by his father, a Methodist minister, from playing football due to safety concerns, Slater’s persistence ultimately earned him permission to pursue the sport.
  • Slater played three seasons of high school football at Clinton High School in Iowa, leading the team to two Iowa state championships in 1913 and 1914.

College Career at the University of Iowa:

  • Duke Slater attended the University of Iowa, where he played football from 1918 to 1921.
  • As a sophomore, Slater received unanimous first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named a second-team All-American in 1919.
  • In 1921, he contributed to Iowa’s national championship-winning team, which secured a perfect 7-0 record for the season.
  • Slater’s exceptional performance on the field, including a memorable game against Notre Dame, earned him multiple All-American honors and a reputation as an unstoppable force.

Professional Football Career:

  • Duke Slater entered the NFL with the Rock Island Independents in 1922, becoming the first black lineman in NFL history.
  • He made an immediate impact, swatting down a critical pass in his NFL debut and consistently delivering standout performances.
  • Over his ten-season NFL career, Slater played for both the Rock Island Independents and the Chicago Cardinals.
  • Despite facing racial barriers, Slater garnered numerous honors, including all-NFL selections and first-team all-pro recognition.
  • He retired from professional football in 1931, leaving a lasting mark as one of the most accomplished African-American players in the league’s history.

Coaching and Legal Career:

  • While playing in the NFL, Duke Slater attended law school during the off-seasons and earned his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1928.
  • He practiced law in Chicago and briefly worked as a high school coach and athletic director in Oklahoma City.
  • In 1948, Slater was elected to the Cook County Municipal Court, becoming only the second African-American judge in Chicago history.
  • His judicial career spanned decades, including service on the Cook County Superior Court and the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Personal Life and Legacy:

  • Duke Slater married Etta Searcy in 1926, and they remained married until her passing in 1962.
  • He passed away in 1966 at the age of 67 due to stomach cancer and was laid to rest in Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens South near Chicago.
  • Slater’s legacy lives on through numerous honors, including induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognition on the Kinnick Stadium Wall of Honor, and the unveiling of a sculpture in his honor at the University of Iowa.

Honors and Recognition:

  • Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame inductee (1980) for his high school achievements.
  • Inaugural inductee into the Iowa Sports Hall of Fame (1951), alongside other notable figures.
  • Elected to an all-time college football All-American team in 1946 and a Football Writers Association of America all-century team in 1969.
  • Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Centennial Class in 2020.
  • The University of Iowa honored him with a relief sculpture at Kinnick Stadium and by naming a residence hall after him.
  • Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium was named in his honor in 2021.

Duke Slater’s enduring legacy in football and the legal profession serves as a testament to his exceptional talent and groundbreaking contributions to American sports and society.