21 February 2024 , 03:00
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New England Patriots icon Matthew Slater, who was once hailed as the "best special teams player in football" by Bill Belichick, has called time on his career.
Slater was picked in the fifth round of the NFL Draft back in 2008. The 38-year-old, who played a whopping 239 games in the NFL for New England, was selected for the Pro Bowl 10 times and was a top player three times. He also won the Super Bowl three times with coach Belichick, who left the franchise after the 2023 season ended.
Fans recognise Slater as one of the best players that Belichick had during his 23-year stint with the Patriots. That exclusive club includes stars like Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor. "I've been very fortunate," Belichick shared with The 33rd Team last year.
"I feel like I coached the best offensive player - best player in football in Tom (Brady), the best defensive player in football in LT (Lawrence Taylor), and the best special teams player in football in Matt Slater."
"When you have the opportunity to coach players that are great in areas, and that of course includes the specialists, guys like Adam Vinatieri and (Stephen) Gostkowski, don't want to take anything away from them, either. And great punters like (Sean) Landeta and (Dave) Jennings and so forth."
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The feeling is likely to be mutual, as Belichick would rate high on Slater's list of best-ever football coaches."I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game," Slater said as part of a statement released by the Patriots.
"Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, 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 can retire knowing this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had."
Belichick hailed Slater as one of the best players he's ever coached (Getty)Unlike Slater, though, Belichick is yet to retire following his departure from the Patriots. He did have a series of interviews following the end of the regular season, with the Atlanta Falcons looking most likely at one point - but they hired Raheem Morris instead.
A head coach role may not be the position Belichick necessarily takes up either, according to Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson, who gave the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach a glowing review. "Bill and his girlfriend just left the house about four days ago, and he came down to spend a few days with me," Johnson said to Joe Rose on WQAM 560 AM in Miami.
"We talked about a bunch of stuff. He had been with (Bill) Parcells and (Nick) Saban a couple days earlier, and some of these (NFL) owners are a little bit afraid of him. The general managers and the personnel people in the organizations are really afraid of him because they think if he comes in they are going to lose their jobs.
"A lot of people working against him as far as getting a job. I was shocked that he didn't get some more opportunities. He'll get opportunities next year."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.