Pats’ Slater, 10-time Pro Bowler, retires from NFL
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Matthew Slater, who holds the NFL record for most special teams Pro Bowl appearances with
10, announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons.
“I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game,”
Slater wrote in a social media post shared by the New England Patriots. “Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love
I have for it will last a lifetime.”
A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024
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 coming out of 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 referenced Slater
as the greatest to play the game in his role, saying he felt fortunate to
coach who he believed were the greatest offensive (quarterback Tom Brady),
defensive (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 this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had,”
Slater wrote.
Most Pro Bowls, since 2011Matthew Slater’s first Pro Bowl selection was in
the 2011 season. Since then, Trent Williams is the only NFL player with
more Pro Bowls. PlayerPro BowlsTrent Williams11Matthew Slater10Aaron Donald10– ESPN Stats
& Information
In a statement sent to ESPN, Belichick said 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. 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. …
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.”
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.
“Dad, you blazed the trail. You set the standard. I hope I followed in
those footsteps well,” Slater wrote. “It was never a burden. Only a
blessing.”
He played in 239 games with the Patriots, second in team history behind
Brady (285). His 25 career postseason games rank ninth-most in NFL history.
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Patriots owner Robert Kraft also released a statement: “On the field, his
10 Pro Bowl appearances will likely earn him a place in the Pro Football
Hall of Fame one day alongside his father. Off the field, he will be
remembered for so much more. He is a role model, not just for young
players, but for everyone. He is a man of integrity and high moral
character who is led by his faith and committed to his family. There is no
finer person than Matthew Slater. On behalf of the New England Patriots, I
want to express our deepest gratitude to Matthew, in partnership with his
wife Shahrzad and the entire Slater family, for his remarkable 16-year
Patriots career.”
Slater, 38, was a team captain for 13 straight seasons, with his postgame
speeches in the locker room often referred to by teammates as powerful
because of how Slater — a devout Christian — would relate football to
life.
“As a player, God used the game of football to instruct, discipline,
encourage and develop me as a person,” Slater said.
Source: Matthew Slater, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection for his proficiency on the Patriots’ special teams units, announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
