Legendary Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater shared the most heartfelt message as he announced his retirement

Perhaps the greatest core special teams player in NFL history, longtime New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater formally announced his retirement on Tuesday after 16 seasons.

The likely Hall of Famer shared a very heartfelt message with Patriots fans via the team’s Twitter (X) account, thanking the fans and so many more for the success he found in his storied NFL career.

As far as core special teamers go, Slater set the standard, and he won three rings with New England after being drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA in 2008.

He spent his entire career with the Patriots, and his retirement coincided with coach Bill Belichick parting ways with the program.

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

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024

Belichick praised Slater in a very glowing congratulatory note for Slater in which he calls his former player “a once in a lifetime person, and the best core special teams player in NFL history.”

Bill Belichick statement on Matthew Slater: “Matthew 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… pic.twitter.com/myW1BeuuDa

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2024

Slater’s retirement is yet another major departure for the Patriots as New England preps for a new era under coach Jerod Mayo.