Longtime New England Patriots special teams weapon Matthew Slater announced his retirement via the team's social media accounts Tuesday morning, and former coach Bill Belichick responded with a touching tribute.
Slater gave his retirement address by quoting from the New Testament. “I fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7.”
The retiring star later paid tribute to his father, NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, writing that his father often took him to the field in Meridian, Mississippi, where he practiced.
“For the past 25 years of my life, 16 of them as a New England Patriot. I'm so happy to be able to emulate the man I saw in the fields of Meridian. “By playing the game I love,” he wrote. “I gave everything I could Respect and respect the game. It's about time to get involved with games though. My love for it will last a lifetime as it evolves. ”
A message from Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/diVYMtAapu
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 20, 2024
Slater also praised longtime head coach Bill Belichick, saying,It's a great honor to know that I played for the best coach in the history of our league. ”
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 7: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots and Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots before a game at Gillette Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The CEO gave a speech.Winslow Townson/Getty Images
Belichick himself used the opportunity to respond with an unusually long and surprisingly sweet statement.
“Matthew Slater deserves every accolade he gets. He is a once-in-a-lifetime guy and the best core special teams player in NFL history,” ESPN's Adam Schefter said in a statement shared on Twitter. Ta. (Related article: NFL star running back reportedly looking for bigger role, but will new regime impose obligations on him?)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 26: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick shoots Matthew Slater during the Patriots' training camp at Gillette Stadium on August 26, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Meeting with 18.Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
“His daily, weekly and yearly work ethic paved the way for his unparalleled performance,” Belichick continued. “Matthew is a fierce competitor and the ultimate example of what a person should be. He has been a great role model for the teams I have coached (players and coaches). Matthew is very kind and is a great example of what a person should be like. I am one of the many people who feel incredibly blessed to have been his teammate, coach, and friend.”
Bill Belichick said of Matthew Slater: “Matthew Slater deserves every accolade he gets. He is a once-in-a-lifetime guy and the best core special teams player in NFL history. His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic makes him unique. It paved the way for a career that didn't exist before. pic.twitter.com/myW1BeuuDa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 20, 2024
oh. All this from a famously taciturn man whose answer to about 15 questions was, “I'm heading to Cincinnati.”
The news that Belichick has a heart is the real revelation here, but can we also take a moment to appreciate Slater's farewell message?
Hey, I just did a master class on saying goodbye. Please read the full text. Slater thanked his family, wife, coaches, Patriots owner, fans and staff. Indeed, everyone from the trainer to the manager was overjoyed. And it all ended with a Bible quote. If Slater thought and cared as much about his career as he wrote in this letter, it's no wonder he made 10 Pro Bowls.
