House Resolution 85

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ATHLETICISM AND NFL CAREER SUCCESS OF JACKIE RAY SLATER AND RECOGNIZING HIM AS ONE OF THE LEGENDARY FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, Jackson, Mississippi, native, Jackie Ray Slater, who was born on May 27, 1954, and attended Jim Hill High School before graduating from Wingfield High School, where he lettered in three sports, but excelled in football, would become one of the greatest football players to grace the gridiron, as a household name that would boast a statistical record that dreams and legends are made of; and

WHEREAS, during Slater's collegiate career, which began as a member of the Jackson State University Tigers Football Team from 1972 to 1975 where he played alongside fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton, he was a football letterman, and was selected to the All-Southwestern Athletic Conference All-Star Game three times, named to the first-team All-American by the Pittsburgh Courier, and invited to participate in the College All-Star Game at the conclusion of his senior season; and

WHEREAS, drafted as the 86th overall pick in the third round of the 1976 National Football League Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, the 6-foot 4-inch, 277-pound Slater played as a backup and special team's player during his first three seasons before having a breakout season in 1979 as a member of the starting lineup of the Rams' offensive line that surrendered only 29 sacks and helped the team's offense finish second in the NFL in total yards gained with 6,006 yards; and

WHEREAS, described as the Energizer Battery Bunny that "just kept going and going and going," Slater became a mainstay of the Rams' establishment whose work ethic and leadership skills were the driving force for his presence on the field, with 259 regular-season games played, the most ever by an offensive lineman when he retired, which also accounted for 20 seasons with the Rams, an NFL record of the most seasons with one team and a league tie for third all-time for the most seasons played; and

WHEREAS, known as the most consistent member of one of the most potent offensive lines in NFL history, Jackie, who was a veteran of 18 playoff games which resulted in five NFC West Division Championships, one NFC Championship and an appearance at Super Bowl XIV, was selected to seven Pro Bowls, named NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1986, 1987 and 1989, selected to the All-NFC team seven times, named to the All-NFL team three times, and twice as an All-Pro team selection; and

WHEREAS, subsequent to his retirement from the league in 1995, Jackie worked with an ABC affiliate in Los Angeles and participated as a guest coach during the St. Louis Rams training camps in the early 2000s before being hired as co-offensive lineman coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2006, and ultimately assuming the role as offensive line coach at Azusa Pacific University in 2011, where he continues to serve; and

WHEREAS, one who showcased superior athleticism in every play executed, Slater's gridiron presence encompassed: providing frontline coverage for 24 different quarterbacks and 37 different running backs; blocking for seven different 1,000-yard rushers, including Lawrence McCutcheon, Wendell Tyler, Eric Dickerson, Charles White, Greg Bell, Cleveland Gary and Jerome Bettis; blocking in 107 games in which a runner gained 100 yards or more; and acting as a quality pass blocker; affording Rams quarterbacks the privilege of throwing for 300 yards or more in a game 27 times with Jackie in the lineup; being a part of the 1983 Rams' offensive line that allowed a league-low 23 sacks, while also paving the way for Dickerson's rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards; and

WHEREAS, a model of consistent superlative play and widely regarded as one of the game's premier linemen, Jackie's honors, which include his enshrinement into the 2001 Pro Football Hall of Fame, the 2003 Class of Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Jackson State University Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and pay homage to the stellar athletic feats of sports' legends of Jackie Slater's caliber:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the athleticism and NFL career success of Jackie Ray Slater and recognize him as one of the legendary football players of Jackson State University to be inducted into the National Football League's Hall of Fame.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jackie Ray Slater and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.