New England Patriots Special Teams Ace Matthew Slater Retired

He was a 5th round pick in the 2008 draft and not at all sure he would make the team. But he went on to have a stellar career. And now New England Patriots Special Teams ace Matthew Slater has retired after a 16 year career. He was the longest-tenured member of the team. Legendary coach Bill Belichick has always had glowing things to say about Slater. After Slater’s announcement, Belichick released this statement:

“Matthew Slater deserves every accolade someone could receive. He is a once in a lifetime person, and the best core special teams player in NFL history,” Belichick said in a statement, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic, paved the way for his unsurpassed performance.

“Matthew is the finest example of what an intense competitor and human being should be. He has been a great role model for the teams players & coaches) that I have coached. Matthew is exceedingly kind, and supremely loved and respected by all his peers. I am one of many who feel incredibly blessed to be his teammate, coach, and friend.”

High praise indeed. And well deserved since Slater is a 10 time Pro Bowler and a 2 time All-Pro. That’s a record for most Pro Bowls by a special teamer. Although, he was a great player on the field, he was an even better man off the field. His teammates would describe him as a man of great faith and character. Early in his career he thought he might have been a youth minister if football had not worked out. But even still he was often active in the community, helping others in as many ways as possible.

New England Patriots Special Teams Ace Matthew Slater Retired

Slater, a husband and father of four, is also the son of Hall of Famer Jackie Slater who was a talented offensive lineman. Many feel that Slater should join his father in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, it’s a tough ask for Special Teams guys to get the call. Just ask Steve Tasker.

Slater will be missed, the Patriots locker room will be devoid of a real leader. He released a statement that is available on patriots. com. In it he thanked a number of people, including his family, teammates, coaches and of course the fans. Former Patriot, Tedy Bruschi used to lead the team in a breakdown after every victory. The honor passed to Slater, after Bruschi retired. So it makes since that he closed his statement this way:

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