New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater announced Tuesday he's retiring from the NFL.
New England Patriots @PatriotsA message from Matthew Slater. <a href="">
Slater spent his entire 16-year career with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles and earning 10 Pro Bowl nods along with two All-Pro selections. He was an unsung hero for the Patriots when they reaffirmed their dynastic status in the 2010s.
Pats Buzz @PatsBuzzTom Brady comments on Matthew Slater's retirement. <br><br>"The best teammate and an even better man." 🥲 <a href="">
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterBill 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…
Jason McCourty @JasonMcCourtySLATE! <br><br>Special dude…<br><br>Fortunate to have play alongside you and Blessed to forever call you a friend! <a href="">
NFL Films @NFLFilms"There isn't one guy in the locker room that doesn't look up to him."<br><br>From the son of a lineman, to a <a href="">@patriots</a> champion, All-Pro, and leader. 👏<br><br>Congrats on your retirement Matthew Slater! <a href="">
"As a player, God used the game of football to instruct, discipline, encourage, and develop me as a person," he said in his announcement.
"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."
While officially listed as a wideout, the 38-year-old was used nominally in that role. He caught just one pass for 46 yards for his career in the regular season.
Slater instead built his reputation on being a special teams standout. He totaled 191 tackles and five forced fumbles. In any game against New England, punt returners were well aware he would almost certainly be bearing down on them as soon as they hauled in the ball.
NFL Legacy @NFLLegacyBill Belichick took a chance on Matthew Slater in the 5th round of the 2008 <a href="">@NFLDraft</a>. Slater, primarily a special teamer at UCLA, would go on to earn 9 Pro Bowl selections, the most ever by a special teams player in NFL history.<br><br>📺: 2021 <a href="">#NFLDraft</a> - 4/29 to 5/1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC <a href="">
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick went so far as to say in a June interview with The 33rd Team that Slater is the best special-teamer ever. Others have raised calls for him to be recognized in the Hall of Fame.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterBill Belichick called Matthew Slater the best special teams player in NFL history. Slater was voted to 10 Pro Bowls. He has the credentials to follow his father, Jackie Slater, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. <a href="">
Field Yates @FieldYatesMatthew Slater was the epitome of what you look for in a player.<br><br>He's deserving of a spot one day in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. <a href="">
Richard Deitsch @richarddeitschI would never want to be part of any Hall of Fame voting. But if I did vote for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Steve Tasker and Matthew Slater (when he retires) would be on my ballot every year. I'll never understand the undervaluing of the all-time best on special teams.
Hall of Fame voters have been somewhat averse to honoring players who excelled in a special teams role.
Ray Guy is the only punter enshrined in Canton, Ohio. Four kickers (Morten Andersen, George Blanda, Lou Groza and Jan Stenerud) have gotten the honor. In the case of Blanda and Groza, they played positions other than kicker. Earlier this month, Devin Hester became the first player voted into the Hall of Fame as a dedicated return specialist.
Slater's résumé might be impossible to ignore, though, and him getting in could help to open the door for other players in the past who excelled primarily in return coverage.
