A Patriot great just announced his retirement. New England Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater announced his retirement on Tuesday. Slater played for 16 NFL seasons.
Considered to be one of the greatest gunners in NFL history, Slater helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls in his time as a Patriot. He will finish his career with 10 Pro Bowl nods, which is the most ever for a special teams player.
“In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams,” the former fifth-round pick wrote in a statement. “In 2024, I can retire knowing this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had.”
Slater has eight All-Pro berths, including five first-team selections, as well to add to his accolades. Pro Football Writers of America voted him as a first-team All-Pro three times before The Associated Press began including special teamers in its All-Pro squad in 2016.
Slater appeared in 239 regular-season games for the Patriots, as well as 25 playoff games.
Bill Belichick made it clear on numerous occasions that it all started and ended with Slater. He was the heart and soul of New England special teams. Belichick recently described Slater as the greatest gunner of all time.
Slater, who was originally drafted as a wide receiver out of UCLA, caught just one pass throughout his career. He has also returned kicks for the Patriots.
Slater presumably has the credentials to be , and probably should be, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, historyHA has been complicated to special teams as a hole, let alone to former gunners looking for a bust in Canton.
For example, former Buffalo Bills special teamer Steve Tasker, who retired with seven Pro Bowl nods and five first-team All-Pro berths, is yet to be inducted despite being a semifinalist on eight occasions.
Im sure he will find a way in however, as he is in a family of Hall of Famers. Slater’s father, Jackie, became a Hall of Famer in 2001 after posting a decorated career as an offensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
Congrats to one hell of a career Matthew Slater. He truly was one hell of a special teamer.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler
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