Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Duke Slater should have been acknowledged, should he not?

Versatile John wrote:Duke Slater should have been acknowledged, should he not?

I think so.

Wasn't the focus limited to 1946 and thereafter?

I think the reason he might not be included is because he was an anomaly back before it was a true national league. Apartheid followed. The Forgotten Four were (along with Robinson) the cracking open of a door that was going to usher in huge cultural changes. Slater was a pioneer, no doubt, but he wasn't from that generation.

oldecapecod11 wrote:Wasn't the focus limited to 1946 and thereafter?

Yes. Slater would be in the sequel: "Before the Forgotten Four" or "Forgotten More Than The Forgotten Four" ...

It was about breaking the 'barrier'. Wasn't a 'barrier' at the beginning. Different stories.

I realize all that; however, Fritz Pollard was mentioned as a pioneer in pro football. Why not Slater?

There were others, many more, long ago forgotten sure,
but the focus was pre-Jackie, even though it might be tacky.
What were those names who played the games,
played it well but gained no fame.
Let echo now from shore to shore
"More Before Forgotten Four" quoth the maven, "Evermore."

(Sorry Edgar!)

HA! I guess I should have been more specific in my original post. Since they referenced Pollard, Bobby Marshall, Robeson....I think Slater should have been mentioned.

oldecapecod11 wrote:There were others, many more, long ago forgotten sure,
but the focus was pre-Jackie, even though it might be tacky.
What were those names who played the games,
played it well but gained no fame.
Let echo now from shore to shore
"More Before Forgotten Four" quoth the maven, "Evermore."

(Sorry Edgar!)

Nicely done.

oldecapecod11 wrote:There were others, many more, long ago forgotten sure,
but the focus was pre-Jackie, even though it might be tacky.
What were those names who played the games,
played it well but gained no fame.
Let echo now from shore to shore
"More Before Forgotten Four" quoth the maven, "Evermore."

Excellent.