New England Patriots Special Teamer Matthew Slater Retires from NFL

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA Today Sports

New England Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater announced his retirement on Tuesday. He spent his whole 16-year career in New England and achieved many accolades along the way.

Slater grew up around football as his father, Jackie Slater, was a 20-year NFL veteran with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams from 1976-1995. Throughout his career, the elder Slater carved out a tremendous career that included four second-team all-pro selections, four pro bowls and a trip to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton. 

Jackie also won the Bart Starr Award in 1996 which is presented to the player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community." He shares the privilege of winning the award with Matthew who won in 2017.

Listed as a wide receiver and defensive back, Slater barely saw the field on either side of the ball. Instead, he made his presence on special teams as a gunner and kick returner. In his senior year at University of California - Los Angeles, Slater averaged 29 yards per kick return and housed a touchdown three times.

Slater was a fifth-round pick out of UCLA in 2008. Drafted by former Patriots head coach and general manager Bill Belichick, it was evident that he was going to make a living by continuing to do what got him on the field in college - special teams.

In his fourth season, Slater had grown as one of the main leaders in the clubhouse and was named special teams captain, a role he held for the remainder of his career - a total of 13 times.

As special teams started to faze out of the league, Slater remained committed to his craft.

Throughout, Slater accumulated quite the list of accolades just as his father did. He finishes off his career on the field with a polished resumé that includes being a three-time Super Bowl champion, eight-time all-pro, 10-time pro-bowler, member of the New England Patriots all-2010s team and New England Patriots all-dynasty team.

Matthew, along with his father Jackie, have a chance to become the first father-son duo to both be inducted into the hall of fame as players. His first year of eligibility will be in 2029.