Matthew Slater, captain of New England Patriots Special Teams, has called it a career.
Slater announced its retirement from NFL after 16 sessions on Tuesday through Patriots’ social media accounts.
“For the last 25 years of my life, 16 of them as a New England Patriot, I have been incredibly blessed, which I saw in the areas in Meridian (Miss.) The areas I like to play the game,” Slater wrote. “I have given all that I can probably respect and respect the game. Although it is time for my relationship with the game to develop, I will have a lifetime for the love I have.
“… In 2008, I came here as a young man with ASHA and dreams. In 2024, I can retire to know that this experience has crossed any hope or dream that I had.”
Patriots traded to select Slater in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. The UCLA product had immediate effect on special teams, returned 11 kicks for 155 yards and recorded 12 tackle in 14 sports.
Slater was voted in 2011 to become the captain of a particular team, a role he would maintain for the rest of his career. The 38-year-old developed the greatest gunner in NFL history, assisting New England in three super bowls, earning 10 Pro Bowl Selection (a special-team record) and five first-team all-pro nodes.
Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichic recently made a case for Slater, who was first in the Pro Football Hall of Fame to become a gunner.
Belichik told reporters on 29 December, “I think Slater is actually going to be a hall of fame candidate.” Therefore, he is in a very unique category, one that I do not think is represented in the Hall of Fame.
“But depending on what he did during his career, he gave it as much time, and the level he has done it. … I would say that this man has been as productive as anyone has been in his entire career in his entire career, which is very long. I think he is the best he has done what he has done. ,
Patriots honored Slater with a special “Captain 18” Hoody before Sunday’s regular season Finale vs The New York Jets. Just before the kickoff for the week 18 matchup, Slater shared an emotional hug with his parents Jackie and Annie as he last attended the field.
Slater ended one of its NFL career with 190 tackle in 238 games. Most importantly, he ends as one of the most respected Patriots players in the history of franchise.