FOXBOROUGH, Mass – As Matthew Slater walked off the field on Sunday, it was clear that it might have been the last time the New England Patriots captain would ever do that. 

And after the game, Slater was asked directly if he is retiring, but instead he took a moment to thank his teammates. 

"Let’s talk about that another day," he said. "I just want to express my thanks to those guys in that locker room today. So, I’m very appreciative of all the love and support that I’ve received this whole season, with certainly today and this week. I’m just proud to be a part of that group. Even though the season was what it was, to come here every day and be able to work with those guys, it really meant a lot to me.” 

Prior to Sunday's game, the team took the field for warm ups. And each one had on a sweatshirt that honored Slater. 

On the back, it said captain with the No. 18 on it. But it's what was written on the sleeve that truly showed how much he meant to the organization. 

"Son, Father, Husband, Teammate 
10 Time Pro Bowl Selection
3 Time Super Bowl Champion
13 Time Team Captain
5 Time All Pro"

And Slater couldn't believe this tribute from his team when asked about it following the game. 

“You know, it’s – it meant a lot. It meant a lot. I was blown away by it. I never wanted anything about my experience here to be about me, so it did make me a little bit uncomfortable," he said. "But to have the guys do that, I just – I’ll never be able to put that into words as long as I live. So, it meant a lot to me.”

Along with thanking his teammates, Slater took the time to speak about the one person who truly saw something in him and took a chance in 2008. 

“Without Coach (Belichick), I’m not standing up here talking to you. He took a chance on me. A lot of people when I got here thought I got drafted because of my dad," Slater said. "So, he took a chance on me and has taken chance on me for 16 years, so I’m very grateful for that. He’s the best coach that’s ever coached this game in my opinion, so I’m thankful for the 16 years that I’ve been with him.”

Slater's career is something to be celebrated, but of you had told him when he was first drafted that this is where he would have ended up, the special teamer would have had one thing to say to you. 

“I would’ve called them a liar," he said with a smile. "No, I wouldn’t. I didn’t have that expectation of myself at all. I tell this story all the time: I called my dad during rookie minicamp and asked him if they could release me before I got my signing bonus. So I didn’t have a vision for this type of career, to be a part of the special teams and work alongside the people that I have. But really my career is a testament to the goodness of God. His grace in my life, His favor, I don’t deserve any of the credit. The people around me deserve all the credit: my wife, my family, my parents, my brother and then God. I mean, God has just been so kind to me and I’m very humbled by it.”

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