Feb 20, 2024, 12:00 PM ET
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Matthew Slater, who holds the NFL record for most Pro Bowl appearances on special teams with 10, announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons.
“I have given everything I can to respect and honor the game,” Slater wrote in a social media post shared by the New England Patriots. “While it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.”
Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots leaves the field after the game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kathryn Riley/Getty Images
Slater, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2008 draft out of UCLA and spent his entire career with New England. He wondered if he would even make the team after his first training camp, a reflection of his unique role as a dedicated special teams player.
In recent years, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick had referred to Slater as the best to play the game in his role, saying he felt fortunate to coach who he believed were the best offensive players (quarterback field Tom Brady), defensive backs (linebacker Lawrence Taylor) and special teams players (Slater) in the history of the game.
“In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams. In 2024, I can retire knowing that this experience has surpassed any hopes or dreams I ever had,” Slater wrote.
Slater, who called his father his hero, won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and is the franchise’s all-time leader in special teams tackles.
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“Dad, you paved the way. You set the standard. I hope I followed in those footsteps well,” Slater wrote. “It was never a burden. Just a blessing.”
He played in 239 games with the Patriots, second in team history behind Brady (285). His 25 career postseason games rank ninth in NFL history.
Slater, 38, captained the team for 13 consecutive seasons, and his teammates often referred to his postgame locker room speeches as powerful because of how Slater, a devout Christian, would relate football to life. .
“As a player, God used football to instruct me, discipline me, encourage me and develop me as a person,” Slater said.
2024-02-20 17:00:00
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