Slater, Fred “Duke”

Duke Slater moved to Clinton at the age of 13 in 1911.  Slater played football for Clinton High School and led them to the Iowa State championship game versus West Des Moines High School in 1914.  After graduation, Slater attended the University of Iowa and was a four year lettermen.  Slater was a three time All-Big Ten selection and a first team All-American in 1921.

After graduation from Iowa, Slater played professional football for ten years.  By the time of his retirement in 1931, Slater had achieved All-Pro status a total of six times.  During his NFL career Slater never missed a game because of injury, starting in a total of 96 of the 99 games he played between the AFL and NFL.

Slater also earned his law degree from Iowa.  In 1948, he was elected as a Municipal Court Judge in Chicago.  In 1960, Slater became the first black member of the Chicago Superior Court, then the highest court in the city.   Slater later moved to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1964, following that institution’s formation. Slater is also a member of the University of Iowa and College Football Hall of Fame.