Rashawn Slater

Rashawn Slater's Biography

Rashawn Slater, the distinguished American professional offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL), was born on March 26, 1999. Slater possesses a remarkable rise in his football career, showcasing his talent in both college and professional platforms.

Growing up in Sugar Land, Texas, Slater’s passion for the game took root at Fort Settlement Middle School, advancing further during his years at Clements High School. Demonstrating outstanding skill and dedication, he consistently proved his worth on the field, earning the title of first team All-District as a junior and senior. He achieved even greater recognition as second team All-Greater Houston during his senior year. These impressive accolades contributed to Slater’s three-star recruit rating and a barrage of college football offers. After thorough deliberation, he chose the Northwestern Wildcats over offers from Illinois, Kansas, Wyoming, and Rice.

Making his way as a true freshman, Slater’s athletic prowess shone through in his starting role in 12 games at right tackle. His outstanding debut earned him recognition on the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team and even saw him rated as the best freshman offensive lineman in the nation by Pro Football Focus. This noteworthy achievement was only the first of many. As a sophomore, Slater remained in the limelight, featuring in all 14 of Northwestern’s games. His seamless performance bumped him up to the third team All-Big Ten as recognized by the league’s coaches.

No stranger to recognition, Slater’s junior year saw him receive an honorable mention All-Big Ten for a stellar performance allowing zero sacks in 11 starts. As his senior year approached, Slater maintained a spot on the preseason All-American and All-Big Ten teams, and was named to the Outland Trophy watchlist. However, amidst the early announcement of the Big Ten’s postponement of their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Slater shifted his ambitions to the 2021 NFL draft. While evoking new career aspirations, Slater remained dedicated to his academics, earning a degree in Communications from Northwestern in December 2020.

The 2021 NFL Draft flipped the next page in Slater’s football journey. He was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round, securing the 13th overall spot. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 27, 2021, marking the onset of an exciting professional career.

In his inaugural professional season, Slater took on the challenge as the Chargers starting left tackle. His exceptional skill led him to his first Pro Bowl as a starter and secured a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In Week 3 of the 2022 season, Slater’s road hit a brief snag with a rupture in his biceps tendon against the Jacksonville Jaguars, resulting in the end of his season. Nevertheless, the Chargers reaffirmed their faith in Slater, picking up the fifth-year option on his contract on April 29, 2024.

Outside the football field, Slater enjoys a rich heritage, being the son of former NBA player Reggie Slater, and his older brother, RJ Slater, carved out a career in football as an offensive lineman for the United States Air Force Academy from 2014-2017. In his personal life, Slater is a committed husband who enthusiastically splits his time between his NFL career commitments and his family life.