Senate Concurrent Resolution 551

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JACKIE SLATER, PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER FROM JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS AN ALL-AMERICAN AT JACKSON STATE AND AN ALL-PRO OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FOR THE LOS ANGELES AND ST. LOUIS RAMS, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2003.

WHEREAS, Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2003 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Jackie Slater, Pro Football Hall of Fame member who is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and was a durable All-American at Jackson State University and an All-Pro offensive lineman for the NFL's Los Angeles and St. Louis Rams; and

WHEREAS, Jackie Slater attended Blackburn Junior High, Jim Hill High School, and Wingfield High School before playing for Jackson State from 1972-1975, he was named first team All-American by the Pittsburg Courier in 1975, he blocked for fellow Pro Football Hall Of Fame and Mississippi Hall Of Fame member, Walter Payton, at Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, Jackie Slater was a 3rd round draft choice, 86th pick overall, by the Los Angles Rams in the 1976 National Football League Draft, played for the Rams in Los Angles and St. Louis

from 1976-1995 and set team records for most seasons played (20), most games played in a career (259), and most career postseason games played (18); and

WHEREAS, he holds the National Football League record for most seasons played with the same club (20), fourth on National Football League all-time participation chart behind Jan Stenerud, Jim Marshall, and George Blanda, Slater blocked in 107 different 100 yards rushing games and 27 different 300 yard passing games, he cleared the way for 7 different 1,000 yard rushers, paved a path for 23 different quarterbacks and 36 different running backs; and

WHEREAS, Jackie Slater was named All-Pro on 5 occasions and played in 7 Pro Bowls, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001 and into the Jackson State Athletic Hall of Fame the same year.

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete who has brought honor to his university and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Jackie Slater, Pro Football Hall of Fame member from Jackson, Mississippi, who was an All-American at Jackson State University and an All-Pro offensive lineman for the Los Angeles and St. Louis Rams, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2003, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jackie Slater at induction ceremonies to be held on April 4, 2003, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.