I agree Bruce is close, but I can't put him above Jackie Slater and his 20 year Ram career, where he was a major part of what was often the strongest unit on the team.
Career highlights and awards
And in regards to making a play to win a SB, tough to do that as an OT.... no control of the QB making the play.
However, I can say he blocked for a RB rushing for a playoff record 248 yds, a 2105 yd season. Blocked for lesser backs that had 1000 yd seasons like Greg Bell & Charles White to name a few... And he did play well in big games....
From Wikipedia...
"Slater became the starting
right tackle in 1979. That year the Rams went to
Super Bowl XIV, where he successfully defended
L. C. Greenwood from getting a
quarterback sack.
[1] In 1980, he was a part of an offensive line that surrendered just 29 sacks and helped the Rams’ offense finish second in the NFL in total yards gained with 6,006. In 1983, he and the Rams offensive line demonstrated their versatility when they allowed a league-low 23 sacks while also paving the way for
Eric Dickerson’s rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards. In 1985, he was the key blocker for Dickerson as he ran for a playoff record 248 yards and two touchdowns against the
Dallas Cowboys in a NFL divisional game.
[2] During a 1989 playoff game, Slater prevented
Reggie White, who was considered the premium pass rusher in the NFL, from sacking the quarterback, a game that Slater later became best known for.
[1][4] Slater was considered by critics the most consistent lineman on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, which also included
Pro BowlersKent Hill and
Dennis Harrah and was recognized for his "work ethic and leadership skills"
"He was voted the
National Football League Players Association NFC Offensive Lineman of the year four times—1983, 1986, 1987, and 1989 and was the
Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award winner after the
1995 season. Slater played in 259 games from 1976 to 1995, a then-record for
offensive lineman(broken by
Bruce Matthews in the
1999 season).
[1] He was the first player to play 20 seasons for one team, later matched by
Washington Redskinscornerback Darrell Green and
Detroit LionskickerJason Hanson and third all-time.
[5] He played for 24 quarterbacks and 37 running backs in his lengthy career, during which seven running backs reached for over 1,000 yards in a season and played in seven Pro Bowls."
)
