At Jackson State University, Jackie Slater was selected to the Southwestern Athletic Conference All-Star Game three times, and as a senior, was a first-team All-America selection. Slater was drafted in the third round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1976. He became a starter for the Rams in 1979, and that same season the team went to Super Bowl XIV. In 1980, he was a part of an offensive line that surrendered just 29 sacks and helped the Rams’ offense finish second in the NFL in total yards gained with 6,006. In 1983, he and the Rams offensive line allowed a league-low 23 sacks. He was voted the National Football League Players Association NFC Offensive Lineman of the year four times—1983, 1986, 1987, and 1989. Slater played in 259 games from 1976 to 1995, setting a record for offensive lineman, was the first player to play 20 seasons for one team, and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl seven times throughout his NFL career. In 2001, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
