It’s the end of an era for the New England Patriots.
Longtime Patriots special teams ace and team captain Matthew Slater announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday in an essay he penned for the team’s website.
He thoughtfully saluted his father, Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Jackie Slater, as a longtime inspiration, dating back to summers spent in Meridian, Miss., as a youth.
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.
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.
Pats Nation, it has been an honor to represent the silver, red, white, and blue for 16 years. Thank you for cheering, challenging and supporting our team each and every year. To the people of New England, thank you for welcoming my family and me into your community and allowing us to call New England home. We are beyond humbled and blessed. You the fans make an NFL player’s experience what it is. Thank you for supporting not only me but our great game.
Former New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Issues Statement On Matthew Slater’s Retirement
Belichick has famously been quoted as saying Slater is the best special teams player he has ever seen, which is a bold statement considering the number of players the GOAT has coached in his lifetime.
Shortly after the announcement on Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter released a statement from Belichick commenting on Slater’s retirement.
“Matthew Slater deserves every accolade someone could receive,” the former New England Patriots coach said.
“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.”