McLean County Times

This week in Bloomington-Normal Metro history.

Died August 14, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois

Duke Slater died on August 14, 1966, in Chicago. He was born in Normal, Illinois, in 1898. He played football at the University of Iowa. He joined the NFL in 1922 and played for the Chicago Cardinals. He was one of the first Black linemen in pro football. After retiring, he studied law and became a judge. He was the first Black judge in Chicago’s Superior Court. Slater was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His early life began in Normal, Illinois.