Duke Slater

One of the biggest names from the early NFL was a lineman by the name of Duke Slater. This man was not only an exceptional player but a trailblazer that overcame much adversity to succeed in football and in life, his name, Duke Slater. Author Neal Rosendaal wrote a book on Mr. Slater and even helped propel the Duke into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020's selection class. We are honored to have had a few moments to chat with Neal.

What an honor it was to talk to author Neal Rosendaal in the podcast episode above on Duke Slater. I want to thank the kind folks at his publisher McFarland Books for helping to facilitate the book and with getting Neal and I in touch with each other.

Neal's book once again is; Duke Slater: Pioneering Black NFL Player and Judge. It is available through your local book dealer, McFarland Books, or Neal Rosendaal's website of Duke Slater.com.

Neal Rosendaal's book cover displayed on Amazon

The podcast above and of course Neal's work in his book are filled with information about this legendary player. I highly encourage you to get a copy of Duke Slater: Pioneering Black NFL Player and Judge into your own personal collection as the things that this man accomplished are extraordinary to say the least.

Neal writes in very clear and interesting prose and his reasearch on Slater is top notch. Here is a quick summary of items about Duke Slater that Neal ducusses in greater detail.

• Slater was an All-American as a two way tackle with the Hawkeyes.
• The University of Iowa has named their football playeing surface Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium
• Duke Slater was inducted into the inaugural class of the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.
• Mr Slater was the first black player to be inducted into the College Hall of Fame
• He had a great career in the NFL playing on both sides of the line with the Rock Island Independents and the Chicago Cardinals.
• First recorded African-American to play in the NFL trenches
• He broke through racial barriers in the early NFL as an African -American player and performed as one of the top athletes in the game.
• Was the key blocker in Ernie Nevers historic Thanksgiving Day November 28, 1929 where the fullback scored 40 points ( NFL record 6 Touchdowns, 4 extra points)
• Duke only missed one game in his 10 year NFL career, and it was not due to injury. It was a game in Kansas City where they did not allow black players to take the field. Talk about an ironman!
• The Pro Football Hall of Fame selected Duke Slater to join their legends in 2020.

A Very Special thanks to information obtained from the brilliant book by Neal Rosendaal 

Banner photo is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of Ronald D. and Margaret L. Kenyon Football Practice Facility (Iowa City, IA) The original uploader was Dangih at English Wikipedia