Bill Belichick Believes Matthew Slater Is The Best Special Teams Player In NFL History



Matthew Slater was selected to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time, since being drafter in the 5th round of the 2008 draft. Slater’s 9th appearance is the most NFL history by a special teams player.

Bill Belichick shared his thoughts on one of his all-time favorite players, calling Slater the best special teams player in NFL history. Slater has been one of the greatest players on the Patriots on and off the field during the over the past decade.

“I can’t think of anybody that’s done more than he has and that’s done it over a very consistent period of time at an extremely high level, in addition to all the other qualities that he brings off the field leadership, just doing the right thing, just the person and the human being that he is,” he said on a conference call. “But, his competitiveness on the field, he’s a great teammate just outstanding in all areas.

“It would be hard for me to imagine anybody going ahead of him. We’ve had some great players here and I’ve had some great players through my career in Cleveland, going back to the Giants but, he’s certainly the very best that I’ve ever been around and that we’ve had to play against, as well. His consistency is outstanding, but he factors in on a lot of plays.”

Slater’s contributions on and off the field should eventually make him the first non kicking special teams player to be selected into the NFL Hall of Fame.