CANTON, Oh. - One had to wait 12 years to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the other made it the first time his name was on the ballot. But appropriately enough, former Rams teammates-defensive end Jack Youngblood, who retired in 1985 after 14 NFL seasons, and tackle Jackie Slater, who played from 1976-1995-entered the Hall together.

"Jack whipped my butt [in practice] the first three years of my NFL career," said Slater, who was selected by the Rams in the third round of the 1976 draft after blocking for Walter Payton at Jackson State. "He taught me what it was like to be a pro football player."

Jack and Jackie shared many traits-tremendous athletic skills, intensity, passion, and a driving desire to be the best.

"I remember playing in a college all-star game after my senior year," Slater said, "and when I arrived I was listed as third string because I went to a small school. I spent the week being the number one 'step 'n' fetch it' guy.

"I realized right then that I was going to do all the right things to be a great player-not a 'step 'n' fetcher.'"

Youngblood's work ethic was just as strong.

"I never took a play off because I always thought that might be the one that could turn the game," he said.

"When Jack was on the field, he raised the level of performance of his teammates," said Hall of Fame defensive tackle Merlin Olsen, a teammate of both players and Youngblood's presenter. "He provided the big play when the team needed it. His enthusiasm and determination were contagious. And his toughness was legendary."

One of the most memorable moments in Youngblood's career-aside from his seven Pro Bowl appearances and second-place ranking on the Rams' all-time list for sacks-took place after he suffered a broken fibula against Dallas in a divisional playoff game in 1979. Youngblood played in the NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers and Super Bowl XIV against Pittsburgh with his left leg in a cast.

"A lot of players were crushed when we found out Jack had a broken leg," Slater said. "But I wasn't worried. I knew that having Jack at a reduced speed was better than not having Jack at all."

Youngblood had one request.

"I wish we could have stopped Super Bowl XIV with six minutes left," he said. "Then I'd have a ring. But really, the only thing I wish I could do again was play the Super Bowl at full speed. You dream of going into a game like that and being able to make one big play that makes a difference. The broken leg left me at only seventy-five percent, and I wasn't able to make a difference."

Slater, who retired at 41, also proved to be extremely durable. He played in 259 regular-season games-the most in NFL history by an offensive lineman at the time of his retirement-and is the only player in league history to play 20 years with one team.

"Jackie played the most team-oriented and under-appreciated positions in all of sports," said former Rams coach John Robinson, who presented Slater. "In my point of view, playing the offensive line is one of the most elite positions in sports."

"I was one of the rank and file," Slater says. "I was a support guy. We do the best job when we're helping others out."

Youngblood, an All-America at Florida and first-round draft choice in 1971, and Slater, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, had the physical ability to carve out Hall of Fame careers, but it also didn't hurt that they faced each other in practice for nine years.

"We never disliked each other," Youngblood said. "We just played with great intensity in practice. And that is probably the reason we both achieved such success."

"Our battles in practice were always fierce," Slater said. "Although we competed hard, I remember one time when I tweaked my hamstring. I had to leave practice to go to the training room, and the first player to come and check on me was Jack."

"Jackie was very fortunate to have Youngblood as a mentor and practice opponent," Robinson said. "And later Kevin Greene took over for Youngblood, and he learned how to be a great pass rusher by facing Slater." ---