One of New England's key players is calling it a career.
Longtime Patriots special teams star Matthew Slater announced his retirement Tuesday morning.
Slater, 38, was selected in the fifth round of the 2008 draft. He played 239 games for New England and was named a ten-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time second-team All-Pro.
“I gave everything I could to respect and honor the game,” Slater said in a statement released by the Patriots. “Although it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.
“I came here in 2008 as a young man with hopes and dreams. I can retire in 2024 knowing that this experience has exceeded any hopes and dreams I ever had.”
Slater won three Super Bowls with the Patriots – XLIX over the Seahawks, LI over the Falcons and LIII over the Rams.
Although he is technically listed as a receiver, he only caught one 46-yard pass in his entire career in 2011.
In 2023, he didn't take an offensive snap while playing 89 percent of the special teams snaps in the 16 games he played.
Slater's father, Jackie, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 after playing 259 games for the Rams from 1976 to 1995.