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Matthew Slater was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS

Matthew Slater was re-signed by New England as an unrestricted free agent on March 21, 2018 ... Originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round (153rd overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Career Highlights

• Named to seven straight Pro Bowls from 2011 to 2017 as a special teams player.
• Named to the Associated Press All-Pro: First Team for the first time in his career in 2016. Also earned Associated Press All-Pro: Second Team honors in 2017.
• Elected special teams captain by teammates from 2011-19.
• Has played wide receiver, safety and a major role on special teams in his 11 NFL seasons.
• Led the team in special teams tackles three straight seasons: 21 in 2010, 17 in 2011, 20 in 2012. Missed four games due to injury in 2013 and still finished second on the team with 14 special teams tackles, just one behind the team leader. Again led the team with 14 special teams tackles in 2014 and 17 in 2015. Has led the team in this category in five of his first 10 seasons.
• Has finished with double-digit special teams tackles in eight of his 11 total seasons in the NFL.
• Moved past Larry Izzo (17) to became the Patriots all-time leader in postseason special teams tackles with 20 after finishing with two tackles in the Divisional Playoff victory vs. the Los Angeles Chargers (1/13).

SEASONAL REVIEWS

2019 (16/0, 1/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the ninth consecutive season.
• Named to his eighth career Pro Bowl as a special teams player and surpassed Steve Tasker (1987, 90-95) for the most special teams Pro Bowl honors in NFL history.
• Named Associated Press All-Pro: First Team for the second time in his career.
• Contributed mostly on special teams with two special teams tackles while also seeing four snaps offensively in a blocking role during goal-line situations in the win at Miami (9/15).
• Contributed mostly on special teams during the win vs. the N.Y. Jets (9/22) including downing a fourth-quarter punt on the 1-yard line.
• Scored his first career touchdown when he returned a blocked punt by DB J.C. Jackson 11 yards for a touchdown in the victory at Buffalo (9/29). Also added a special teams tackle.
• Played as a key special teams contributor, making one special teams tackle and recovering a fumble in the win at the New York Jets (10/21).
• Contributed on special teams and recorded one special teams tackle in the victory vs. Cleveland (10/27).
• Contributed on special teams in the loss at Baltimore (11/3).
• Contributed on special teams in the win at Philadelphia (11/17). Also played one snap on offense during a kneeldown at the end of the first half and one snap on defense during the Eagles final Hail Mary attempt at the end of regulation.
• Played on special teams and blocked his first career punt that was recovered by DB Nate Ebner at the Dallas 12-yard line to help set up the Patriots only touchdown in the win vs. Dallas (11/24). Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the game. His Player of the Week honors marked the first of his career.
• Contributed on special teams in the loss at Houston (12/1).
• Made a season-high two special teams tackles in the loss vs. Kansas City (12/8).
• Made one special teams tackle in the win at Cincinnati (12/15). Also used his speed at the gunner position to influence a muffed punt in the second quarter that was recovered by Justin Bethel and set up a Patriots field goal.
• Provided key contributions on special teams and made one special teams tackle in the AFC Wild Card loss vs. Tennessee (1/4).

2018 (16/0, 3/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the eighth consecutive season.
• Played in all 16 regular-season games as prominent member across special teams units and finished with eleven tackles.
• Appeared in all three postseason contests and notched three special teams tackles.
• Contributed on special teams with one special teams tackle in the season-opening victory vs. Houston (9/9), one special teams tackle at Jacksonville (9/16) and one at Detroit (9/23).
• Contributed mostly on special teams while also appearing on offense during the final kneel-downs of the victory at Buffalo (10/29).
• Appeared on offense during a goal line situation but contributed mostly on special teams where he finished with two special teams tackles in the win vs. Green Bay (11/4).
• Contributed on special teams with two special teams tackles in the win vs. Buffalo (12/23). Also had a partially-blocked punt late in the fourth quarter.
• Made two special teams tackles, becoming the Patriots all-time leader in postseason special teams tackles, during the victory vs. L.A. Chargers in the AFC Divisional Playoff (1/13).
• Made one tackle on special teams in the Super Bowl LIII victory vs. the Los Angeles Rams (2/3) and also downed a third quarter punt on the Rams' 2-yard line. Was a key special teams contributor in a game that featured 14 total punts, as field position became an integral part of the lowest scoring Super Bowl of all-time in the Patriots 13-3 victory.

2017 (9/0, 3/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the seventh consecutive season.
• Was voted to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer for the seventh straight year, matching Steve Tasker (1987, 90-95) for most special teams Pro Bowl honors in NFL history. Became the only special teamer to earn seven consecutive Pro Bowl honors.
• Named to the Associated Press All-Pro: Second Team and the Pro Football Writers Association All-AFC Team as a special teamer.
• Played in nine regular-season games as a reserve, appearing mostly on special teams and made seven tackles.
• Appeared in all three playoff contests as a reserve and posted two special teams tackles.
• Was inactive due to injury for seven games.
• Made his first appearance of the season after returning from injury and contributed on special teams in the victory at Tampa Bay (10/5).
• Contributed on special teams with two tackles in the win at Denver (11/12).
• Appeared on offense for the final kneel downs of the game and contributed on special teams with a special teams tackle in the Divisional Playoff victory vs. Tennessee (1/13).
• Contributed on special teams with tackle in the AFC Championship victory vs. Jacksonville (1/21)

2016 (13/0, 3/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the sixth consecutive season.
• Was voted to the Pro Bowl for the sixth straight year as a special teamer and named to the Associate Press All Pro: First Team for the first time in his career.
• Played in 13 regular-season games, mainly on special teams and made six tackles. Had one rushing attempt for five yards and returned three kickoffs for 52 yards.
• Appeared in all three playoff games and made two special teams tackles.
• Was inactive due to injury in the win at N.Y. Jets (11/27), vs. Los Angeles (12/4) and vs. N.Y. Jets (12/24).
• Registered a season-high two special teams tackles vs. Buffalo (10/2).
• Recorded the second rushing attempt of his career and his first since 2009 on a five-yard run in the win at Cleveland (10/9).
• Totaled two special teams tackles in the Divisional Playoff win vs. Houston (1/14).
• Was a key contributor on special teams during the teams victory over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI (2/5).

2015 (16/0, 2/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the fifth consecutive season.
• Was voted to the Pro Bowl for the fifth straight year as a special teamer.
• Played primarily on special teams in all 16 regular-season games and led the Patriots with 17 special teams tackles.
• Played in both playoff contests and made one special teams tackle.
• Continued to see limited action on offense while contributing heavily on special teams. Also posted one defensive tackle on a fake punt in the win vs. Jacksonville (9/27).
• Saw limited action on offense and recorded a season-high four special teams tackles in the win vs. Washington (11/8).
• Contributed on special teams and recorded two special teams tackles in the win at N.Y. Giants (11/15).
• Contributed on special teams, recording one special teams tackle in the AFC Championship at Denver (1/24).​

2014 (16/0, 3/0)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the fourth consecutive season.
• Earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl as a special teamer after leading the Patriots with 14 special teams stops.
• Recorded one special teams tackle in the Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1/15). Was also on the field for the final two kneel downs.
• Posted one special teams tackle in the AFC Championship win vs. Indianapolis (1/18/15).
• Contributed on special teams in the AFC Divisional win vs. Baltimore (1/10/15).
• Led the team with two special teams tackles in the win at N.Y. Jets (12/21).
• Took down kickoff returner Donald Brown at the Chargers 13-yard line after just an eight-yard return in the fourth quarter of the win at San Diego (12/7).
• Tallied one special teams stop at Green Bay (11/30).
• Posted one special teams tackle in the win vs. Detroit (11/23).
• Tripped up KR Chris Williams at the Bears nine-yard line in the second quarter of the win vs. Chicago (10/26), causing him to be brought down at the 11-yard line. The Bears went three-and-out and Julian Edelman returned a punt 42 yards to set up another Patriots score, extending the lead to 31-7.
• Made two solo special teams tackles in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/5), and now has 100 career special teams stops.
• Led the team with three special teams tackles at Kansas City, limiting PR Frankie
• ammond to three yards on two returns.
• Led the team with three special teams stops in the win vs. Oakland (9/21), including a tackle on PR T.J. Carrie for a 1-yard loss on a first-quarter punt return. Also returned his first kickoff of the season for 26 yards.
• Played on special teams in the first two games of the season.

2013 (12/0, 2/1)

• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the third consecutive season.
• Elected to the Pro Bowl for the third straight year as a special teamer.
• Played in 12 regular-season games and finished second on the team with 14 special teams tackles. Also returned two kickoffs for 10 yards.
• Played in both playoff contests and made one start at wide receiver vs. Indianapolis in the Divisional Playoff (1/11). Led the team with three special teams tackles.
• Was inactive due to injury vs. Tampa Bay (9/22), at Atlanta (9/29), at Cincinnati (10/6) and vs. New Orleans (10/13).
• Returned to action at N.Y. Jets (10/20) after missing four games with an injury and made one special teams tackle.
• Made his first career postseason start at wide receiver vs. Indianapolis (1/11) and notched two special teams tackles.

2012 (16/0, 2/0)

• Played in all 16 regular-season games and both playoff games and led the team with 20 special teams tackles. Also returned two kickoffs for 39 yards (19.5 avg) in the regular season and one for 19 yards in the playoffs.
• Elected special teams captain by his teammates for the second consecutive season. Elected to his second straight Pro Bowl as a special teams player.
• Made three special teams tackles in the win at Miami (12/2), including one on the Dolphins' first drive when Miami muffed a punt and Slater made the stop deep in the Dolphins territory.

2011 (16/3, 3/0)

• Appeared in three postseason games, primarily on special teams and made one tackle.
• Played primarily on special teams against the N.Y. Giants (2/5) and Baltimore (1/22).
• Played primarily on special teams and made tackle against Denver (1/14).
• Earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation as a special teams player.
• Was elected captain for the first time by his teammates.
• Appeared in all 16 games and made three starts on defense at safety. Finished with 10 tackles, 17 special teams tackles, one forced fumble and caught one pass for 46 yards on offense.
• Saw action as a reserve in win over the Bills (1/1).
• Saw action as a reserve against the Dolphins (12/24).
• Started his third straight game at safety and made one tackle on defense and a season-high four special teams tackles at Denver (12/18).
• Started his second straight game at safety, finishing with one tackle on defense and one special teams tackle in Washington (12/11).
• Was elected captain for the first time by his teammates.
• Made his first career start as a safety on defense, made seven tackles and forced a fumble that the Patriots recovered and led to a touchdown in a win over Indianapolis (12/4).
• Saw action on special teams and as a reserve on offense against the Eagles (11/27).
• Registered one special teams tackle against Kansas City (11/21).
• Made a season-high three special teams tackles against the Jets (11/13).
• Played special teams Giants (11/6), making one tackle and returning one kickoff for 10 yards.
• Played special teams, registering one tackle against the Steelers (10/30).
• Played mainly on special teams in win over the Cowboys (10/16).
• Made one special teams tackle against the Jets (10/9).
• Made one special teams tackle and saw time at wide receiver in Oakland (10/2).
• Recorded one special teams tackle at Buffalo (9/25).
• Made one special teams tackle on a punt to drop the Chargers for a loss of two yards on the return (9/18).
• Recorded his first NFL reception, a 46-yard pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter against the Dolphins. Also made one special teams tackle and returned a kickoff 22 yards (9/12).

2010 (11/0)

• Recorded three special teams tackles against the Jets (12/6).
• Played on special teams against the Colts (11/21) and Lions (11/25).
• Made one special teams tackle against the Steelers (11/14).
• Tallied two special teams tackles against the Browns (11/7).
• Was inactive against the Vikings (10/31).
• Saw time on special teams against the Ravens (10/17) and Chargers (10/24).
• Played on special teams against the Dolphins (10/4).
• Saw time at wide receiver as well as on special teams (two tackles) against the Bills (9/26).
• Had two special teams tackles in both the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals (9/12) and in week two against the Jets (9/19).

2009 (14/0, 1/0)

• Played in 14 games and finished with 269 kickoff return yards on 11 returns, seven special teams tackles and one rushing attempt for six yards.
• Was inactive for the first two games due to an injury suffered during the preseason.
• Majority of his playing time was on special teams as a kickoff returner and on the kickoff coverage, punt and punt coverage teams.
• Made his 2009 debut vs. Atlanta (9/27).
• Had his first NFL offensive touch at Buffalo (12/20) with a 6-yard gain on an end around in the second quarter.
• Had a career-high 35-yard kickoff return in the regular-season finale at Houston (1/3).
• Played in a reserve role at wide receiver and on special teams coverage units in the postseason game vs. Baltimore (1/10). Had two kickoff returns for 46 yards and one special teams tackle.

2008 (14/0)

• Played in 14 games and was inactive for two contests, while finishing second on the team with 13 special teams tackles as a rookie in 2008.
• Made his NFL debut against Kansas City (9/7).
• Led the team in special teams tackles once (at SEA) and tied for the team lead in special teams tackles twice (vs. KC, at OAK) in 2008.
• Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles against Kansas City (9/7).
• Made one special teams tackle and returned one kickoff for a 28-yard gain against Denver (10/20).
• Led the team with three special teams tackles, including two solo stops at Seattle (12/7).
• Tied for the team lead with two special teams tackles at Oakland (12/14).
• Saw action at wide receiver, safety and on special teams coverage and return units against Arizona (12/21).

COLLEGE

• Played at UCLA for four seasons from 2004-07 after redshirting in 2003.
• In 2007, was named to the first-team All-Pacific-10 conference team as the kick returner and named to SI.com's All-America Team as a kick returner.
• Slater's three touchdowns in 2007 set new UCLA and Pac-10 records for kickoff return touchdowns in a season and a career.
• He tied for the national lead with three touchdowns on kickoff returns in 2007.
• His average of 29.0 is the highest in UCLA history among players with at least 20 kickoff returns in a season.
• He appeared in all 13 games in 2006 and excelled on kick coverage.
• As a reserve wide receiver in 2005, he saw action in two games.

EXTRA POINTS

• Matthew has been active in various children's ministries programs at his hometown church and he hopes to pursue seminary study in his post-football career.

PERSONAL

• Matthew Wilson Slater was born the son of Jackie and Annie Slater on Sept. 9, 1985.
• Lettered in football for two seasons at Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif.
• As a senior, he caught 39 passes for 707 yards and five touchdowns.
• A standout performer in track, finishing second (tied) at the CIF State meet in the 100m (10.67) and fourth in the 200m (21.39).
• His father is a former Los Angeles Ram and NFL Hall of Fame offensive lineman.
• Has one brother, David.
• Enjoys participating in children's ministries with his church in his spare time.
• Was an honor roll student at UCLA and majored in political science.
• Matthew and his wife, Shahrzad, have a son, Jeremiah and a daughter, Hannah.

HONORS & AWARDS

2017

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl
• Associated Press All-Pro: Second Team
• PFWA All-AFC Team

2016

• Team Captain
• Bart Starr Award Winner
• Pro Bowl
• Associated Press All-Prto: First Team
• PFWA All-NFL Team
• PFWA All-AFCT Team

2015

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl

2014

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl
• Pro Football Writer's Association All-NFL Team

2013

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl
• PFWA All-AFC Team (special teams)

2012

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl

2011

• Team Captain
• Pro Bowl