That admiration culminated with his election in 1948 to the Cook County Municipal Court. Nevertheless, Slater was widely praised as one of the greatest linemen in college football history. However, the color ban on African-American players could have played a deciding role. Slater served as an inspiration for other young African-Americans. In 1940, they were 32 years old and lived in Alisal, California, with their husband, Arthur, 3 sons, and daughter. [31], Slater served two six-year terms on the Municipal Court. He was named first team All-Big Ten for the third straight year, still one of only nine Hawkeyes ever to have been named to three All-Big Ten teams. [42], Slater was a finalist for the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1970 and 1971, the first two years finalists were publicly announced by the organization. For a quick recap of Slater’s Hall of Fame credentials, read here. [14] The 1921 Hawkeyes captured the school’s first Big Ten title in 21 years and won the first outright Big Ten crown in school history.

Hawkeye Report Slater joined the NFL the following year, becoming the first black lineman in league history. 6. "Duke who?" Unlike Gomer, he has few scruples and is not above putting one over on Gunnery Sergeant Carter, much to the consternation of Gomer. Duke Slater died in 1966 at age 67 from stomach cancer. Duke Slater also served as an ambassador for his race off the field. [9] 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. Many Hawkeye and NFL fans have never even heard the name Duke Slater, and fewer still appreciate everything he did to advance the cause of racial equality in the game of football. By Kate Arhar // @ClvlndK8 Frederick Wayman “Duke” Slater (December 9, 1898 – August 14, 1966) was an American football player who will be enshrined posthumously as part of the 2020 Centennial Class in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Nevers’ mark of 40 points in a single game is the oldest untied individual record in the NFL’s record books, having stood since 1929. Iowa 24-7-365 It wasn't much different in the NFL. 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. The most memorable game of his high school career was the Iowa State Championship game in 1914, his junior season. Not only was Slater pro football's first African-American linesmen, he was also one of the NFL's most outstanding linesmen, of his era. Oddly, Duke Slater was a Hall-of-Fame finalist in 1970 and 1971 but did not gain enshrinement.