LA Rams’ rafters: Why are those jersey numbers retired?

Road grader Slater

He was a devastatingly effective blocker. He blew holes for seven different 1,000-yard rushers, including Lawrence McCutcheon, Wendell Tyler, Eric Dickerson, Charles White, Greg Bell, Cleveland Gary, and Jerome Bettis. He also blocked in 107 games in which a runner gained 100 yards or more. Slater was also a brick wall of a pass blocker. His quarterback’s jerseys stayed clean.

As proof of his dominance Rams’ quarterbacks threw for 300 yards or more in a game with Slater in the lineup 27 times. In 1983, he and the Rams offensive line surrendered a league-low 23 sacks while also creating seams for Eric Dickerson to set that rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards.

A veteran of 18 playoff games, including Super Bowl XIV, Slater was a model of consistent superlative play and was widely regarded as one of the game’s premier linemen.

A popular player who was known for his work ethic and leadership skills, Slater earned seven Pro Bowl berths. His first selection followed the 1983 season, and then he was chosen in consecutive years from 1985 through 1990.

Once again, he demonstrated a record of sustained and proven excellence.

Drafted in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft out of Jackson State University, Slater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

He was the first player to play 20 seasons for one team. He played for 24 quarterbacks and 37 running backs in his lengthy career.

He was Eric Dickerson’s Hall of Fame presenter in 1999.

On being honored, Slater stated “As you walk around and shake hands with some of the greatest players in history, it finally hits you, that you belong. You’re a part of the greatest roster ever assembled.”

Slater was most recently the offensive line coach at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.