As the Patriots proceed in a brand new period, they’ll be doing it with out particular groups captain Matthew Slater.
Slater introduced his retirement Tuesday morning by the Patriots’ social media channels.
A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024
Slater retires as a three-time Super Bowl champion, five-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl choice. He was named to the Patriots’ All-2010s and All-Dynasty groups and earned the Bart Starr Award, given to the participant who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community,” in 2017 and the Art Rooney Award, which is given in recognition of excellent sportsmanship on the enjoying subject, in 2021.
Slater was voted a workforce captain for 13 straight seasons.
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick campaigned for Slater’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy throughout the 2023 season and referred to as him the very best particular groups protection participant in NFL historical past.
“I think Slater is eventually going to be a Hall of Fame candidate,” Belichick mentioned in December. “As a coverage player, not as a specialist. For what he is, he’s not a returner. So, he’s in a very unique category. One that I don’t think is represented in the Hall of Fame, but based on what he did during his career, the length of time he did it, and the level he’s done it at. Again, since there’s no criteria for the Hall of Fame, there’s no criteria. But I would say this guy has been as productive as anybody has ever been at his position throughout his entire career, which is very lengthy. I think he’s the best that’s ever done what he’s done, whether that’s Hall of Fame worthy or not, that’s a different subject that I don’t have a say in. I can’t imagine putting anybody in there ahead of him at that position.”
Belichick additionally referred to as Slater “just about the perfect player” final season.
Slater’s retirement was anticipated, although he wouldn’t instantly tackle it on the finish of the 2023 season. Patriots teammates wore sweatshirts to honor Slater throughout their season finale towards the Jets.
Slater was chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2008 NFL Draft out of UCLA. The Patriots tried him at broad receiver and security earlier than he settled into his function as a core special-teams participant.
He finishes his profession with 191 tackles, two tackles for loss, 35 kick returns for 635 yards, two carries for 11 yards and one 46-yard catch.
Slater’s father is Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive sort out Jackie Slater, who performed for the Rams from 1976 to 1995. He was a four-time second-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl choice and in addition earned the Bart Starr award in 1996.
Here’s Slater’s full message, by way of Patriots.com:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7For so long as I can keep in mind, soccer has been one of many passions of my coronary heart. Some of my earliest recollections of the sport are of watching my dad put together for coaching camp with the Los Angeles Rams. We spent each summer season in Meridian, Mississippi visiting my grandparents. During these scorching summer season days in Meridian, I might typically tag together with my dad to the native highschool subject. While I sat within the shade asking for snow cones, my father would methodically put himself by the paces. I keep in mind these days extra clearly than I keep in mind his video games. They weren’t glamorous. There was no crowd round to cheer him on. There have been no lights flashing. There have been no critics critiquing. Just a person, my hero, dedicating himself to the sport he liked a lot. Never burdened by the work, he understood it was a blessing to do what he liked. It was a present from the Lord. To expertise the love that my hero had for the sport in phrase and deed was transformative. I quickly started to develop those self same emotions for the sport that had been so good to our household.
For the final 25 years of my life, 16 of them as a New England Patriot, I’ve been extremely blessed to have the ability to emulate the person I noticed on these fields in Meridian by enjoying the sport that I like a lot. I’ve given all that I presumably can to respect and honor the sport. Though it’s time for my relationship with the sport to evolve, the love I’ve for it should final a lifetime.
As a participant, God used the sport of soccer to instruct, self-discipline, encourage, and develop me as an individual.
In 2008, I got here right here as a younger man with hopes and goals. In 2024, I can retire realizing this expertise has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had.
Pats Nation, it has been an honor to signify the silver, pink, white, and blue for 16 years. Thank you for cheering, difficult and supporting our workforce every yr. To the individuals of New England, thanks for welcoming my household and me into your neighborhood and permitting us to name New England house. We are past humbled and blessed. You the followers make an NFL participant’s expertise what it’s. Thank you for supporting not solely me however our nice sport.
I’m a agency believer that in life any expertise we now have is barely made potential by the individuals surrounding us. My story in soccer shouldn’t be my very own. I’ve been supported by tons of of individuals alongside the best way. I want to take the chance to thank a few of them now.
To my mom and father, Annie and Jackie Slater: Thank you for committing to boost and assist me the best way you probably did. Thank you for instilling in me the significance of religion in Christ and the significance of loving the individuals round you. Mom, you’re the spine of our household. You sacrificed a lot, and your perception in me by no means wavered. To my brother David, my largest fan, thanks for doing life with me and at all times having my again. I like you all.
Matthew Slater’s Family Reflects on Legendary Special Teams Patriots Career
To my spouse, Shahrzad: Thank you for the sacrifice, grace, forgiveness and the whole lot else you probably did to assist my dream and our household. To my kids, Jeremiah, Hannah, Noah, and Micah: Thank you for uplifting daddy on daily basis. The 5 of you might have seen me at my best and at my very worst. Through all of it, your unconditional assist has bolstered me. I like you all.To each trainer, mentor, pastor, coach, agent, bodily therapist, athletic coach, therapeutic massage therapist, chiropractor, nurse, physician, buddy, roommate, and member of the family: THANK YOU! To each member of the burden room employees, tools employees, assist employees, public relations employees, custodial employees, eating room employees, soccer employees and so many extra: THANK YOU! You all supported me from my time rising up in Southern California to my time right here in New England. You all helped me take my profession in soccer from a dream to a actuality. Thank you. WE did this as a collective! I like you all.
To the Kraft household and your complete Patriots group: Thank you to your continued assist and perception. Thank you for at all times treating me and my household like your loved ones. I actually imagine I’ve been part of the very best group in all of professional sports activities.
To Coach Belichick: Thank you for giving me the chance to pursue my childhood dream. Thank you to your perception in me. You took an opportunity on me and saved me round when many wouldn’t have. It is a superb honor to know that I performed for the very best coach within the historical past of our league.
To my teammates from Servite High School, UCLA and particularly right here in New England: Words can not categorical my gratitude for you all. You pushed me to the very best highs and walked with me by the bottom lows. I’ve typically instructed lots of you that the best honor I’ve ever had was watching you turn into the very best variations of yourselves as males. You all did extra for me than I may ever do for you. What we did on the sphere was particular, however the bond we now have off of it should final us a lifetime. You are my brothers. Thank you for the whole lot. I like you all.
To the various gamers and coaches I’ve competed towards through the years, particularly these within the NFL: It has been an honor. To witness your greatness and share the sphere with you each impressed and pushed me. Collectively, you all make our sport the best on this planet.
Many of you already know me to be a person of religion. I actually imagine with out the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus, I might not be scripting this. Lord, thank You for making a manner when there gave the impression to be none. Thank You for preserving my physique and my thoughts all through the years. Thank You for all of the fantastic individuals you despatched into my life. Thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. This is Your story, and I’m grateful You selected me to be part of it. I like You.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” Psalm 115:1
…Dad, you blazed the path. You set the usual. I hope I didn’t miss something. I hope I adopted these footsteps effectively. It was by no means a burden. Only a blessing. A present from the Lord…
“How do I feel about being a Patriot for life?”
…”AWW YEAH!!!”
May God Bless you all!
Sincerely,
Matthew Slater
Source: www.bostonherald.com