CLINTON, Iowa — In 2021, community leaders in Clinton came up with the idea of creating a life-size bronze memorial statue to honor legendary Hawkeye football player Duke Slater. They formed a committee, and were able to raise over $100,000 to make it possible.
Three years later, their hard work finally paid off as the statue was unveiled across from Clinton High School at Duke Slater Pocket Park on Friday.
"It's a great feeling to have this statue unveiled and honoring a great man who did a lot of great things in a time where the opportunities for African Americans weren't that weren't that plentiful," said Ted Tornow, chairman of the Duke Slater Statue and Scholarship Committee. "We can now go to the students and say, here's someone that you're going to pass by every day. Duke's going to overlook not only the football field but the school in general and it's, you know, if you want a role model, Duke's the guy."
Slater led the Clinton High School football team to two state championships in 1913 and 1914. He went on to play at the University of Iowa where he was a consensus All-American.
Slater had a successful 10-year career in the NFL where he broke down racial barriers, becoming the league's first Black offensive lineman.
After his playing days were over, Slater became a lawyer in the Chicago area and eventually became the first African American judge elevated to the Cook County superior court.
Slater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, and the field at Kinnick Stadium was named in his honor in 2021.
The committee has also established a scholarship fund in Slater's name as well to continue his legacy of helping others in the community.
Francis Boggus with Clinton County Hometown Pride is a member of the committee and spoke with Local 5 Sports Director Reina Garcia about the work that went into making the statue possible and what it means to the Clinton community.