Matthew Wilson Slater was selected in the fifth round (153rd overall) by the New England Patriots in the 2008 NFL Draft.
The longest-tenured current member of the Patriots, Slater has redefined what it means to carve out a niche on special teams. With 10 Pro Bowl selections, he trails only Tom Brady (14) for the most such honors in franchise history.
Get to know more about Slater, who is one of just five players in Patriots history to appear in more than 200 regular season games for the team:
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Matthew Slater's bio
- Height: 6-foot-0
- Weight: 205 pounds
- Birthdate: Sept. 9, 1985
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- College: UCLA
- NFL experience: 14 seasons
- Jersey number: 18
Matthew Slater's career NFL stats
Here are some of Matthew Slater's notable career achievements and statistics:
- Three-time Super Bowl champion (2014, 2016, 2018)
- Two-time Super Bowl runner-up (2011, 2017)
- Two-time First Team All-Pro (2016, 2019)
- Three-time Second Team All Pro (2017, 2020, 2021)
- 10-time Pro Bowl (2011-17, 2019-21)
- 2019 Week 12 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
- Career totals (through 2021 season):
- One catch for 46 yards
- Two rushes for 11 yards
- One touchdown (blocked punt return in 2019)
Here are Matthew Slater's contract details with the Patriots
New England Patriots
Slater completed a two-year, $5.3 million contract with the Patriots following the 2021 season and will be an unrestricted free agent in March 2022.
Through the 2021 season, Slater has earned just under $25 million.
Matthew Slater's college career
Slater played college football at the University of California - Los Angeles for Karl Dorrell and DeWayne Walker.
Like with the Patriots, Slater contributed almost exclusively on special teams for the Bruins, although he factored in more in the return game in college. During his senior year in 2007, Slater returned three kickoffs for touchdowns -- tied for most in the nation.
Slater had two rushing attempts in college and no receptions, spending more time at defensive back than wide receiver when not on special teams.
Meet Matthew Slater's family
Slater is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, a seven-time Pro Bowl right tackle who played his entire 20-year NFL career with the Rams -- the first 19 in Los Angeles from 1976-94 before moving with the team to St. Louis for his final season in 1995.
Slater and his wife, Shahrzad, have three children, Jeremiah, Noah and Hannah.