Jackie Slater

College

Jackson State University

Pro team(s)

Los Angeles Rams / St. Louis Rams

Hall of Fame

⭐ Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jackie Ray Slater was born on May 27, 1954, in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Jackson State University — one of Mississippi's historically Black universities — before the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft. What followed was a 20-year career as an offensive tackle that stands among the most durable and distinguished in the history of the position. Slater played every game he was healthy enough to play, served as a team captain for years, and was so consistent in his excellence that the Rams offensive line built its identity around his reliability for two full decades. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990). He was a model of professionalism, character, and commitment that extended beyond his play — players, coaches, and front office personnel across the league spoke of him with a reverence that went beyond statistics. His son Matthew Slater had a distinguished career as a special teams player for the New England Patriots. Jackie Slater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.