Matthew Slater

BIOGRAPHY

Matthew Wilson Slater, widely acclaimed as a master of American football, was born on September 9, 1985. Renowned for his role as a wide receiver, Slater has leveraged his years of experience and prowess on the field to mentor the next generation in his current role as a special assistant to the head coach for the New England Patriots, one of the teams under the National Football League (NFL). Over his 16 seasons in the league, Slater’s career was strongly tethered to the Patriots, with his vast majority of that time dedicated to mastering the unique skill set required to play in the special teams.

Educated at UCLA, Slater made significant strides in his collegiate football career as a Bruin. Notably, he earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors, and in 2008 he was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Having established a new record by achieving ten Pro Bowl selections from 2011 to 2021, Slater’s exceptional skills in special teams play remain unrivaled in the league’s history. Along with these accolades, he also received five first-team All-Pros and secured three Super Bowl titles. After retiring from active play, Slater returned to the Patriots, stepping into a new role as a coaching advisor.

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Slater was the son of Annie and Jackie Slater, a Pro Football Hall of Fame player. His brother, David, shares their family lineage in sports. Slater’s high school football career at Servite High School in Anaheim, California, saw him partner with teammate Ryan Kalil. Respected for his talent, Slater was selected as an All-West player by Prep Star and a three-star selection by Rivals.com. He also earned recognition as a two-time All-Serra League selection. Among his high school achievements were winning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State meet in the 4×100 meters relay, and gaining recognition as the 2003 Orange County Register Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year during his senior year.

Upon enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Slater majored in political science and history while remaining a key player for the Bruins football team. However, he faced a setback during his freshman year due to a turf toe injury that resulted in a redshirt year. Upon recovery, he established himself as a formidable defensive player, achieving nine tackles in 2006. By 2007, he set new records at UCLA, including a 29-yard kickoff return average, 25 tackles in 13 games, and 986 kickoff return yards in a single season.

Kickstarting his professional career, Slater was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2008. His drafting was a significant moment as he and Chris Long became the sixth pair in NFL Draft history, where both were sons of a Hall of Fame member. His debut season saw him return 11 kickoffs for 155 yards and record 12 tackles on special teams. Over the following years, Slater carved out a niche in special teams, leading the Patriots with 17 regular season special teams tackles in the 2011 season, earning the special teams captain honor and creating significant plays across all three phases, including offensive and defensive.

One of Slater’s most memorable years in the NFL was 2011, where he received his first Pro Bowl nomination and was named to the 2011 Pro Football Writers Association (PFW/PFWA) All-Pro teams. This recognition made the Slaters one of five active father-son families to have received Pro Bowl nominations. His successful streak continued through the following years despite injuries, and he received multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro nominations, along with earning Super Bowl rings in XLIX, LI, and LIII. Slater surpassed Steve Tasker’s record, setting a new high for the most special teams Pro Bowl honors with nine selections.

Even after more than a decade in the NFL, Slater’s athletic prowess showed no signs of waning. In the 2021 season, he continued to excel, achieving 11 tackles in the regular season over all 17 regular season games, earning his tenth Pro Bowl nomination, and was a Second-team All-Pro selection for the third time.

In February 2024, Slater announced his retirement from active football, instead deciding to pass on his knowledge and experience by a special advisor to the head coach for the New England Patriots. His former teammate and current Patriots head coach, Jerod Mayo, who had also been drafted by New England in the 2008 NFL draft, found Slater’s years of experience as a special teams captain and standout player to be invaluable in building and developing the team. When asked who the greatest player in each phase of the game was, head coach Bill Belichick responded that Slater was, without question, the greatest special teams player of all time.