Patriots' Matthew Slater retires from NFL after 16 seasons - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Matthew Slater, who holds the NFL record for most special teams Pro Bowl appearances with 10, announced his retirement Tuesday after 16 seasons.

«I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game,» Slater wrote in a social media post shared by the New England Patriots. «Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.»

A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu

Slater, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 2008 draft out of UCLA and spent his entire career with New England. He wondered if he would even make the team coming out of his first training camp, a reflection of his unique role as a dedicated special teams player.

In recent years, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick had referenced Slater as the greatest to play the game in his role, saying he felt fortunate to coach who he believed were the greatest offensive (quarterback Tom Brady), defensive (linebacker Lawrence Taylor) and special teams players (Slater) in the history of the game.

«In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams. In 2024, I can retire knowing this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had,» Slater wrote.

Matthew Slater's first Pro Bowl selection was in the 2011 season. Since then, Trent Williams is the only NFL player with more Pro Bowls.

In a statement sent to ESPN, Belichick said Slater «deserves every accolade someone could receive. He is a once in a lifetime person, and the best core special teams player in NFL history. His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic, paved the way for his unsurpassed performance. Matthew is the finest example of