Fred S. Slepicka was born in Minnesota in 1888. Fred and one of his 8 Brothers changed their name to Chicken, (the literal translation of Slepicka). Fred attended Minneapolis North High School where he starred in Baseball and Football. In 1907 the football team was undefeated and unscored upon in Minneapolis. Minneapolis North challenged the Illinois state champions from Oak Park to a game. Fred and his team won easily and proclaimed themselves champions of the Midwest.
From 1907 thru 194 Fred played baseball in the summer and football in the fall. In 1913 Fred joined the Minneapolis Marines. With Chick on the team the Marines went 34-3-1 between the years of 1913 thru 1917. The only 3 losses and the lone tie were games played against the College Stars, mostly made up of Minneapolis Gopher ex-players.
1918 during World War I Fred coached and played for the St. Paul Aviators School. The team traveled twice to Rock Island who were one of the few Independent teams to play any games that season due to the war and a flu epidemic.
In 1919 Fred and 4 other former Minneapolis Marines joined forces with the Rock Island Independents. The team went 9-1-0 that season and proclaimed themselves Champions of the U.S. |
In 1920 several of the former Marines remained in Rock Island to play for the Independents in the first season of the league that would become the N.F.L. The team finished a respectable 6-2-2. The team developed a rivalry with George Halas and the Decatur Staleys (who would become the Chicago Bears in 1922). During the second matchup of the teams several of the Independents were injured including Fred who had his leg broken by George Trafton. Fred left the team after the injury and would not play again for the Independents.
In 1921-1924 Fred played for his old them the Minneapolis Marines. During this time he continued to play baseball for several different teams around the country and in Canada. Fred was just as good of baseball player and played AAA baseball in Seattle towards the end of his professional career.
After he retired from sports he focused on his job at Northern States Power Company. He worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dekotas as an Accountant . He retired in 1953 after 36 years with the company as Chief Accountant.
Thanks to the Chicken family for the Information. |
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