One of New England’s core players is calling it a career.
Longtime Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater announced his retirement Tuesday morning.
Slater, 38, was a fifth-round pick in the 2008 draft. He played in 239 games for New England and was named a Pro Bowler 10 times, first team All-Pro twice, and second team All-Pro three times.
In a statement released by the Patriots, Slater said he “did everything in my power to honor and honor the game.” “While my relationship with the game has evolved, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.
“In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams. In 2024, I will retire knowing that this experience exceeded any hopes and dreams I had ever had. can do.”
Slater won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. No. 49 against the Seahawks, LI against the Falcons and No. 33 against the Rams.
Although he is technically listed as a receiver, he only caught one pass for 46 yards in his entire career dating back to 2011.
In 2023, he took no offensive snaps while playing 89 percent of the special teams snaps in the 16 games he played.
Slater’s father, Jackie, played 259 games for the Rams from 1976 to 1995 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
