Patriots legend, Super Bowl champion Matthew Slater retires

It’s the end of an era in New England.

Matthew Slater will forever be one of the best leaders and players to don a Patriots uniform. On Tuesday, the special teams legend and Super Bowl champion announced that he’s retiring from football after 16 seasons.

Slater, 38, hangs up his clears as a three-time champion, 10-time Pro Bowler and 13-time captain in Foxborough.

“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,” Slater said in a statement. “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.

“As a player, God used the game of football to instruct, discipline, encourage, and develop me as a person. 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.”

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The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, Matthew Slater was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 out of UCLA. He was an accomplished kick returner but joined the Patriots as a player on the roster bubble without a true home on offense. He was listed as a receiver and would go on to play safety, but Slater’s calling came on special teams.

After making the Patriots roster, Slater once admitted that he was viewed as a roster bubble player because that’s what he was. That changed in 2011. In his fourth NFL season, Slater became a captain for the first time. That also marked the first time that he became a special teams Pro Bowler and a first-team All Pro.

Slater went on to dominate the special teams game as a gunner. From 2011-2021, Slater made 10 Pro Bowl teams and was named an All Pro eight times. He’s considered one of the greatest gunners in NFL history and retires holding an NFL record for special teams with 10 Pro Bowl selections. Slater holds the Patriots franchise record in special teams tackles with 178. He played in 239 games with the Patriots. That’s second to only Tom Brady (285)

Slater played on all three levels. In 2011, he started three games at safety. As a receiver, he caught one pass (for 46 yards) from Tom Brady during that 2011 season. He also returned 35 kickoffs during his NFL career.

Slater, who won three Super Bowls, also earned a spot on the Patriots All-2010s Team and the organization’s All-Dynasty Team.

He was instrumental in the Patriots dynasty. He earned captain honors 13-straight seasons and was a vital voice in the team’s locker room. In 2017, Slater was honored with the Bart Starr Award, given to the player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community.”

In 2021, Slater won the Art Rooney Award. That’s given in recognition of outstanding sportsmanship on the playing field.

Slater’s next stop will undoubtedly be enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame. He also has a good case to land in Canton as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

“To the Kraft family and the entire Patriots organization: Thank you for your continued support and belief,” Slater wrote. “Thank you for always treating me and my family like your family. I truly believe I have been a part of the best organization in all of pro sports.”