Matthew Slater's career is one to be celebrated. 

So when the longtime Patriots captain announced his retirement on Tuesday morning, many current and former players took to social media, congratulating Slater on an incredible career. 

Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft were just a few of the many who had wonderful things to say about the special teamer. 

Here are the reactions from current and former players: 

Tom Brady: "❤️❤️❤️one of a kind❤️❤️❤️"

"A true champion 🏆 The best teammate and an even better man. Congratulations on the perfect career."

Bill Belichick: “Matthew Slater deserves every accolade someone could receive. He is a once in a lifetime person, and the best core special teams player in NFL history. His daily, weekly, and yearly work ethic, paved the way for his unsurpassed performance. Matthew is the finest example of what an intense competitor and human being should be. He has been a great role model for the teams players & coaches) that I have coached. Matthew is exceedingly kind, and supremely loved and respected by all his peers. I am one of many who feel incredibly blessed to be his teammate, coach, and friend.”

Robert Kraft: "Matthew Slater wasn't just a special teams player for the Patriots. He was a special team player who helped us win three Super Bowls and made a positive impact on the many lives he touched, both on and off the field. On the field, his 10 Pro Bowl appearances will likely earn him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on day alongside his father. Off the field, he will be remembered for so much more. He is a role model, not just for young players, but for everyone. He is a man of integrity and high moral character who is led by his faith and committed to his family. There is no finer person than Matthew Slater. On behalf of the New England Patriots, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Matthew, in partnership with his wife Shahrzad and the entire Slater family, for his remarkable 16-year Patriots career. Matthew's dedication , leadership and talent have been instrumental to our success, and his impact extends far beyond the field. His character and commitment to our organization, his teammates and the game of football are unparalleled. We are all better for knowing Matthew Slater, and while we miss his presence on the field, we look forward to celebrating his many future contributions and accomplishments. We know there will be many."

Jerod Mayo: "Matthew Slater – my friend, former captain, three-time Super Bowl Champion, five-time first-team All-Pro and 10-time Pro-Bowler – is an all-time great. He is an incredible human begin and an extrodinary father, husband, son, friend, and teammate, to name just a few of the many key roles he plays for countless people who have been fortunate enough to be graced by his presence. Matthew and his lovely family, including his wife Shahrzad, and beautiful children, Jeremiah, Hannah, Noah, and Micah, are led by faith and commitment, example, and action. 

Matthew and I entered the NFL together in 2008, and I was fortunate to play my entire career with him. Matthew's leadership, attitude, intelligence and dedication created a professional football career that will most definitely earn him enshrinement in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Patriots Hall of Fame. 

Matthew is a winner in football, but his accomplishment far exceed the field. He is a winner in life. I know that Matthew will continue to make profound impact on so many in his community, both personally and professionally. 

Matthew is my dear friend for life. I thank him for the man he is and wish him the very best in all future endeavors. I know he will be great at whatever he chooses to do next."

Rob Gronkowski: "Love you Slate!! Best to do it!! A true Pro!! ❤️🔥👏"

"YOU'RE AN INSPIRATIONAL TEAMMATE ON AND OFF THE FIELD. CONGRATS ON JOINING US IN RETIREMENT SIR. BEST TO DO IT. NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR YOU SLATE!"

Julian Edelman: "THE Patriot. We always talk about the Patriot way. But Slater lived it. He picked me up when I needed it, and challenged me when I needed it. Without him I wouldn't have been half the player or half the man I am today. Congrats on the HOF career Slate. Love you bubs. #Captain"

Jason McCourty: "Happy to have played alongside Slate! Blessed to call him a friend!

Devin McCourty: "The greatest… salute to the 🐐🐐🐐"

David Andrews: Such an inspiration in my career and my personal life. Thank you!"

Mac Jones: "Thank you Slate for changing the game!! Your legacy is forever, both on and off the field!! #Legend"

"Legend. Thank you 18!!! #SlateDawgie!!! Best to ever do it!!!"

Tedy Bruschi: "Patriot for Life ❤️"

Jonnu Smith: "Forever grateful to have the opportunity to cross paths with you my brother. May God bless you and your family. Congrats champ one of the best to do it ! 🐐

Kendrick Bourne: "😥😥😥 retire the number #18 @patriots"

Joe Cardona: "Hall of fame player, teammate, leader, and person. Thank you for everything 18!"

Bailey Zappe: "Appreciate ya for everything 18! Grateful for the last 2 years with you! 🐐🐐

Mack Wilson: "Damn it's too early to be cutting onions.

Appreciate you Captain 18 you the 🐐 man words can't express honestly. I'm forever grateful to share the field w/ you."

Jonathan Jones: "My brother, my mentor, my friend. Enjoy the other-side."

Isaiah Bolden: "Man… I was honored and blessed to see greatness."

Josh Uche: "🐐🤞🏾"

"Thank you for everything slate, a true OG ❤️🤞🏾"

Daniel Ekuale: "OG!! Appreciate you for everything, it's a pleasure sharing the field with you 🙏🏽"

Davon Godchaux: "🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐"

"One of a kind 🐐🐐"

Justin Bethel: "One of a kind! Congrats on retirement and an amazing career!"

James White: "The standard! It was an honor!"

Sebastian Vollmer: "A true blessing to call you a friend and teammate! One of the best who has ever done it!"

Kyle Van Noy: "An amazing human!! Elite on and off the field! Def made me a better player and person. Excited to see what's next for you."

Chris Board: "Blessed to have been a part of your story 🙏🏽🐐"

Matt Cassel: Incredible run. Congrats on an amazing career and being the definition of a pro's pro."

Raleigh Webb: "nobody like you slate ‼️🙏"

Jarrett Stidham: "The 🐐. Congrats on the amazing career Slate!

Brenden Schooler: "Thank you, Matthew. Thank you for everything ❤️"

Matthew Judon: "1 of 1"

Ja'Whaun Bentley: "LEGENDARY 🐐🐐"

Ameer Speed: "A real professional. Legend forever. Always appreciated 🤞🏾"

Tyquan Thornton: "The standard 💫 Thank you for all the lessons & blessings slate dog 🙏🏽"

Atonio Mafi: "The Greatest! So lucky to have played with you, even if it was only  for a year"

Chad Ryland: "🐐"

"Couldn't have asked for a better man to look up to."

Mike Onwenu: "🐐'd"

Tre Nixon: "🐐"

Braxton Berrios: "The best to ever do it. Such an honor learning from you rookie year then playing against you evert year after. Enjoy retirement and the eventual Gold Jacket Slate!:

Duron Harmon: "My captain 🤞🏾💪🏾"

Stephon Gilmore: "HOF person HOF Career Congrats Slater"

Damien Harris: "My greatest mentor! We should all be more like Matthew Slater."

Reactions from across the NFL:

Nick Folk: "🐐🐐🐐"

DraftKings: "Son, father, husband, 10x pro bowler, 3x Super Bowl champ, 13x captain, 5x all-pro. One of the best to ever put on a Patriots uniform 👏"