Matthew Slater, the New England Patriots' three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time First-Team All-Pro, and three-time Second-Team All-Pro kick returner and special teamer, has called it a career.
The Patriots released a message from Slater via X.
A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024
In a lengthy message, Slater, a fifth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Slater reminisced on his memories watching his dad in training camp with the Los Angeles Rams, visiting his grandparents, his years of playing football, citing bible verses, and thanking his wife, family, and the Patriots organization.
"For as long as I can remember, football has been one of the passions of my heart. Some of my earliest memories of the game are of watching my dad prepare for training camp with the Los Angeles Rams. We spent every summer in Meridian, Mississippi visiting my grandparents. During those hot summer days in Meridian, I would often tag along with my dad to the local high school field. While I sat in the shade asking for snow cones, my father would methodically put himself through the paces. I remember those days more clearly than I remember his games. They weren't glamorous. There was no crowd around to cheer him on. There were no lights flashing. There were no critics critiquing. Just a man, my hero, dedicating himself to the game he loved so much. Never burdened by the work, he understood it was a blessing to do what he loved. It was a gift from the Lord. To experience the love that my hero had for the game in word and deed was transformative. I soon began to develop those same feelings for the game that had been so good to our family.
For the last 25 years of my life, 16 of them as a New England Patriot, I have been incredibly blessed to be able to emulate the man I saw on those fields in Meridian by playing the game that I love so much. I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game. Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime."
Slater played college football at UCLA from 2004-2007. As mentioned, he was drafted in the fifth round and 153rd overall by the Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft. He went on to win Super Bowl XLIX, LI, and LIII with the team, receiving numerous All-Pro nods and ten Pro Bowls, and he was a recipient of the Bart Starr and Art Rooney Award.
As a kick-returner, Slater racked up 35 returns for 637 yards. While the contributions on special teams don't always make their way to the stat sheet, he played plenty on punt and kick return coverage.
He caught just one pass in his career, a 46-yarder in 2011.
He scored his first and only ever touchdown on September 29, 2019, in a game against the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, following a blocked punt by J.C. Jackson.
? BLOCKED PUNT ALERT ?
Matthew Slater scores his first career touchdown! #GoPats #NEvsBUF?: CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/lm0vvtP8ei pic.twitter.com/rH0t65kHXE— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2019
Following his retirement announcement, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke highly of him.
Bill Belichick statement on Matthew Slater: ?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. His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic, paved the way for his unsurpassed? pic.twitter.com/myW1BeuuDa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2024
"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. 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."
He finished his retirement message, saying, "...Dad, you blazed the trail. You set the standard. I hope I didn't miss anything. I hope I followed those footsteps well. It was never a burden. Only a blessing. A gift from the Lord..."
He continued, saying, "How do I feel about being a Patriot for life?" ..."AWW YEAH!!!" May God Bless you all!"
