Sure, he wanted to be a big football star.
How many kids have that dream?
But, for Steve Slaton, becoming that star was a step-by-step process, albeit very fast steps.
“That’s the first thing I think of when thinking about Steve on the football field,” said Kevin Kelly, Slaton’s head coach for three years at Conwell-Egan.
“He had just incredible speed that was like nothing I’d seen from a player at that level. It was really hard to believe and he kept working and working to improve. Even better, he was such a great teammate and a great person. There was no big ego or agenda, just a wonderful young man with great parents.”
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And, while speed is a huge factor, Slaton had plenty of other skills that allowed him to excel on the football field.
Conwell-Egan’s Slaton had a burning desire to improve
Vision. Toughness. Smarts. Desire.
“I just tried to always get better,” said Slaton, 39, a 2005 C-E grad. “I worked hard, had great teammates and coaches, and gave everything I had.”
It all added up to Slaton being a four-year starter and all-state selection at running back and running for over 6,000 career yards for the Eagles; a three-year standout and All-America selection at West Virginia University; and a third-round NFL draft pick who spent four seasons in the pros with the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins.
Conwell-Egan’s Slaton had superb career at West Virginia
During his three seasons with the Mountaineers, Slaton ran for 3,923 career yards and 50 career touchdowns. As a junior in 2007, he set the school’s single-season rushing record with 1,744 yards and finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Those accomplishments with the Mountaineers have earned Slaton induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. He along with 17 others, including Michael Strahan (Texas Southern University) and Michael Vick (Virginia Tech University), will be enshrined in December in a ceremony in Las Vegas.
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“I am so excited for Steve, and what a great honor for him,” said West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, who coached Slaton with the Mountaineers.
“When you look at the years 2005-07, there was not a better running back in college football than Steve Slaton. When he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December, it will be a special day for all Mountaineers.”
College Football Hall of Fame call came for Conwell-Egan’s Slaton
Slaton hoped, one day, to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and that day came a little sooner than he thought even though he found out in a different way than the other inductees.
“They send you a football with your name and school on it, but they sent mine to the wrong address,” said Slaton, who lives in Houston, with a laugh.
“I heard about it through social media and my phone blowing up. But they did send me another football, and this is such a great honor to go into the College Football Hall of Fame. It was a dream of mine to play college football and West Virginia gave me an opportunity.
“You never know what level (of college football) you can play at and I’m glad they saw something in me.”
Slaton headed to CFL:Football: Slaton hopes to seize opportunity
Conwell-Egan’s Slaton has settled down in Houston with his family
These days, Houston, where he started his NFL career, remains home for Slaton, his wife Kimberly, and their three children where he is a private chef.
“When my football career was winding down and wondered what my step would be,” Slaton said.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, my parents did catering on the side when I was growing up and it’s something you can get better and better at if you work hard and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Sounds familiar.
Drew Markol covers local sports forPhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
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