Matthew Slater

What is there to say about another one of the Patriots' talented players? This player, named Matthew Slater, is relatively an unsung hero. Matthew Slater is six feet tall and two hundred and ten pounds. Slater wears the number 18 and is twenty-nine years old. Slater has a lot of talent on the field and goes hard whenever he is given the opportunity. However Slater rarely gets enough credit for what he brings to the team. So, what does this special player bring to the New England Patriots, and why was he chosen to be a part of the team.

In Matt's early years in high school he lived in California. Slater was an All-West selection by Prep Star and a three-star selection by Rivals.com. He was also a two-time All-Serra League selection. As a junior, he made 23 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior, Slater made 39 receptions for 707 yards and five touchdowns. Slater was also a stand out track athlete in high school and still holds records.

In college Slater went to UCLA and was not really a stand out player due to unlucky circumstances and injuries. However on the bruins as a senior Slater tied the lead in the nation and set a UCLA record with returning 34 kicks for a 29.0-yard average and 3 touchdowns.

Slater was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2008. As a rookie Slater played in 14 games during the 2008 season, returning 11 kickoffs for 155 yards and recording 12 tackles on special teams. Slater went on to be a very good and valuable player his next year. In 2011 Matthew was voted to be the special teams’ captain by his teammates. Slater was selected for the 2012 Pro Bowl and the 2011 Pro Football Writers Association (PFW/PFWA) All-Pro teams including All-NFL and All-AFC as a special teams player. In 2012 he was still the captain and now the team's player representative to the NFL Players Association. Also, Matt was named Pro Bowl and the 2012 PFW/PFWA All-Pro for the lone AFC special teams position for the second straight season. In 2014 he was nominated for another Pro Bowl at the special teams’ position. It was his 4th straight selection.

Slater is not only a leader and captain on the field, but also off the field. Being a reliable and big part of the New England team and family is just part of who he is and shows his good character. Slater is not only a good player skill wise, but also a good friend, leader and teammate, and that is why he is a New England Patriot, and an outstanding player as an unsung hero.