Jackie Slater

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Slater's career began as a backup and special teams player before he won the starting right tackle job in 1979, unseating veteran John Williams. His tenure included playing for the franchise across three distinct cities: Los Angeles (1976–1979), Anaheim (1980–1994), and St. Louis (1995). This unique longevity made him teammates with Hall of Famers from multiple eras, including Merlin Olsen, Jack Youngblood, Joe Namath, Eric Dickerson, Jerome Bettis, Kevin Greene, and Isaac Bruce. In 1983, he anchored a line that allowed a league-low 23 sacks while blocking for Eric Dickerson's rookie record of 1,808 yards. The following year, Slater played in all 16 games as Dickerson set the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards.

In Their Own Story

On September 25, 1983, tension boiled over when New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau showboated after sacking Slater. The incident sparked a bench-clearing brawl that resulted in ejections for both players. Later that season, the Rams faced Chicago Bears linemen Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, and William Perry in the NFC championship game. Overpowered by the famous 46 defense, the Bears smothered Dickerson and quarterback Dieter Brock to win 24–0 before routing the New England Patriots 46–10 in Super Bowl XX. Despite such setbacks, Slater's consistency shone through; he was a key blocker when Dickerson ran for a playoff-record 248 yards against Dallas in 1985. Former teammate Jim Everett later remarked that "Jackie Slater is proof they were playing football in the prehistoric days," highlighting the sheer physical endurance required to play 20 seasons.

Reader's Guide

Slater played 259 games from 1976 to 1995, a then-record for an offensive lineman. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and voted the NFL Players Association's NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year four times (1983, 1986, 1987, and 1989). In 1995, he became the second player in league history to play 20 seasons for one team, a feat later matched by Darrell Green, Jason Hanson, and Tom Brady. He played for 24 quarterbacks and 37 running backs during his career. Slater retired after the 1995 season when injuries limited him to just one game: the Rams' first in St. Louis against the Carolina Panthers at the TWA Dome. His jersey number was retired by the franchise, and he received the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award after that final season before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Did You Know?

• Slater is one of the few Rams players to play for the franchise across three different cities: Los Angeles, Anaheim, and St. Louis.
• Slater and his son Matthew combined for 17 Pro Bowl selections, ranking as the third most-nominated family in NFL history.
• In 1983, Slater got into a bench-clearing brawl with Mark Gastineau after the Jets defensive end showboated following a sack.

Unwavering Loyalty and Longevity

Slater holds the record for the most seasons played with one franchise among all offensive linemen. He is the only player in league history to play for a single team across three different cities: Los Angeles, Anaheim, and St. Louis. Drafted in 1976, he started his career on special teams before becoming the starter in 1979. His durability allowed him to share the field with legends spanning decades, from Joe Namath to Isaac Bruce. In 2001, the Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized his "work ethic and leadership skills," cementing his status as a model of consistency.

Defining Moments and On-Field Battles

Slater's career was marked by intense rivalries and statistical dominance. He helped the Rams reach Super Bowl XIV in 1979, where they lost to Pittsburgh. In 1980, his line surrendered only 29 sacks as the offense ranked second in total yards. The infamous brawl with Mark Gastineau on September 25, 1983, remains a notable moment of his fiery competitiveness.

Hall of Fame Legacy and Recognition

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, Slater was celebrated as part of one of the most potent offensive lines in NFL history. His accolades include seven Pro Bowl selections and four NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year awards. He served as Eric Dickerson's presenter at Dickerson's 1999 Hall of Fame induction. The Rams retired his jersey number to honor his contributions, and he was recognized for breaking the record for most seasons with one team.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

After retiring in 1995, Slater worked for an ABC affiliate in Los Angeles and served as a guest coach for St. Louis Rams camps. In February 2006, Oakland Raiders head coach Art Shell hired him as offensive line coach to mentor Robert Gallery; he was released after one season. Most recently, he coached at Azusa Pacific University. His son, Matthew Slater, played college football at UCLA and was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2008. The Slaters hold a combined 17 Pro Bowl nods, making them the third most-nominated family in NFL history behind the Matthews and Manning families.