After 16 years in the NFL, New England Patriots special teams legend Matthew Slater is officially retiring from the game of football.
His exit from the Patriots signals a true changing of the guard for a historical franchise that will be nose-deep in a complete rebuild in the offseason.
Not only was Slater one of the franchise’s all-time great locker room leaders, but he’s also the “best core special teams player in NFL history,” per former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. On Tuesday, former Patriots legendary quarterback Tom Brady congratulated Slater for having the “perfect career.”
Those are two of the highest compliments from the greatest quarterback and coach of all time.
They are also well-deserved for a player that had the sort of success Slater had for so many years. Here’s what people were saying on social media, following news of his retirement:
Matthew Slater gave 100% on every play 😤
🎥: @NFLLegacy pic.twitter.com/bz0XTqgOmB https://t.co/pQpgfdG0nJ
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 20, 2024
My favorite Matthew Slater story from his 16-year career:
Long before he became the special teams GOAT, this was the time he was the unfortunate goat.
In a late November 2008 home game against the Steelers, Slater had been summoned as a kickoff returner, in part because primary…
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 20, 2024
If you don’t think Matthew Slater belongs in the Hall of Fame I definitely question your football knowledge
— Willy Trill (@WillyTrillEra) February 20, 2024
First ballot hall of famer.
Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/aZsO5qN4wV
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 20, 2024
Matthew Slater's first Pro-Bowl selection was in the 2011 season and since then, as @EpKap points out, Trent Williams is the only player with more Pro Bowl selections.
Most Pro Bowl Selections since 2011:⁰Trent Williams 11⁰Matthew Slater 10⁰Aaron Donald 10 https://t.co/m5QdB69iKS— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2024
Thanks for everything Matthew Slater. Let's do a thread.
We all know Slater mostly for his incredible work on the punt team. Downing punts near the goal line was an art form for him. pic.twitter.com/SYrvsMlkCx
— Patriots Dynasty (@PatsDynastyInfo) February 20, 2024
Matthew Slater’s impact on the #Patriots summed up in one picture:
(📸: @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/l7uRyBo3Zz
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) February 20, 2024
THANK YOU MATTHEW SLATER.
Legend. pic.twitter.com/YU6byldmz8
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) February 20, 2024
16 seasons.
13 as captain.
10 Pro Bowls.
3 Super Bowl titles.
And endless praise from @Patriots and opponents for the player he was and person he is.
Not bad for a self-described "bust as a kick returner."
Congrats, thanks and all the best to the best, Matthew Slater.
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) February 20, 2024
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Patriots legendary special teamer Matthew Slater is retiring.
He has a gold jacket waiting for him. pic.twitter.com/WtslH05qcY
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 20, 2024
🎉Wishing a happy retirement to future Hall of Famer Matthew Slater🎉
• 3x Super Bowl Champion
• 10x Pro Bowler
• 5x AP or PFW First Team All-Pro
• 1x AP or PFW Second Team All-Pro
• 16 year NFL career
• 9th most playoff games of all time
• 1x Bart Starr Award pic.twitter.com/ULhqXZyCQC— Boston Cream 🍩 (@itsbostoncream) February 20, 2024
Matthew Slater was one of the most unique individuals I've ever met, let alone covered. The respect he garnered in the Patriots locker room was unmatched. He approached every subject with thought, and he never shied away from tackling a tough subject. An all-time great.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) February 20, 2024
One of the best things you can say about a retiring NFL player is there’s really not much left to be said…the job is done, and everyone’s been following along as he did it at an extremely high level for an unusually long time. That’s Matthew Slater.
— Matt Chatham (@chatham58) February 20, 2024
Matthew Slater is calling it a career. And what a remarkable career it was. https://t.co/64kmcCiDCf
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) February 20, 2024
Matthew Slater was the epitome of what you look for in a player.
He’s deserving of a spot one day in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. https://t.co/NZYinYCtED
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 20, 2024
I understand some of you don’t respect Special Teams … but this is just beautiful man.
Matthew Slater genuinely deserves his flowers.
The embodiment of New England Patriot mindset and one of the greatest Special Teamers to play the game. pic.twitter.com/XUYwCunVGN
— Airhawk27 (@Airhawk27) February 20, 2024
My Dad was around the Patriots organization for a few years as a reporter, cameraman for promotional activities, and more.
One thing he would always tell me is how genuine and great of a person Matthew Slater was.
Such a great guy on and off the field.
— PGS NEST (@NestPgs) February 20, 2024
A 🫡to Matthew Slater… on of the best special teamers to ever walk on to a football field pic.twitter.com/1NTxfbHUFT
— trey wingo (@wingoz) February 20, 2024
One of the greatest to ever do it. Matthew Slater calls it a career, and what a career it was. https://t.co/Ic0TC2Fy2s
— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) February 20, 2024
Hall of Fame player.
Hall of Fame person.
Congrats to Matthew Slater on a legendary career. pic.twitter.com/NtwiVxRCxR
— Jason Romano (@JasonRomano) February 20, 2024
Covering Matthew Slater was truly an honor. One of a kind person. Listening to him speak about football and life was something that I’ll never forget, and nobody did his job better in the history of the NFL.
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) February 20, 2024
