Matthew Slater is back for year 16 with the Patriots.
The 2023 season was “to be determined” for the team captain. But, on February 17th, the team announced his return for a 16th season. This news was just what the organization and fans wanted to hear.
Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick on the return of Matthew Slater. pic.twitter.com/lb9aOpNrkP
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 17, 2023
To celebrate this all-time great returning for another year, we’re taking a look back on some of Slater’s best moments on and off the field with the Patriots.
Post-game locker room celebrations
New England fans all know Slater’s famous locker room celebrations. It’s the chant heard around the coast – and we love hearing that “awww yeah!” after each win.
Awww yeah.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 27, 2017
Inside the locker room after the win: https://t.co/dgHmVxAwuN pic.twitter.com/vzEbdSxD1L
Superb coin toss calls
Slater is always calling the coin toss, especially in crucial games. He owns this role, and he’s made some of the most critical coin toss calls in Patriots history.
The special teams captain won the overtime toss of Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons – which resulted in the Patriots’ fifth Lombardi, and again before the overtime of the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs – which sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl once again.
![KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots meet at the 50-yard line for the coin toss during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 20: The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots meet at the 50-yard line for the coin toss during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/de55b2fb019720c0a1bc2c659cf5e9d793a054bfb23007d3b3b145b5b9c44beb.jpg)
Blocked punt for a touchdown – 2019
Slater scored a blocked punt for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Patriots game against the Buffalo Bills in 2019. This was his first career touchdown.
![Patriots Patriots](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/372eab323c64c93d15d072ff45d049027b4075f2886067f669fbec1824dfe0ad.jpg)
Charity work
Slater is known as a stellar man off the field with his unwavering support of many local charities. Some notable organizations he supports are Ron Burton Training Village, International Justice Mission, and Open Doors International. Aside from that, he and his wife founded the Slater Family Foundation.
![BOSTON, MA – MAY 06: (L-R) Pedro Martinez, Shahrzad Slater, New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater, Carolina Martinez and Chef Nicholas Calias, CEC at Brasserie Jo, during the Pedro Martinez Charity’s Feast with 45 events at Fenway Park on May 6, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Pedro Martinez Charity) BOSTON, MA – MAY 06: (L-R) Pedro Martinez, Shahrzad Slater, New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater, Carolina Martinez and Chef Nicholas Calias, CEC at Brasserie Jo, during the Pedro Martinez Charity’s Feast with 45 events at Fenway Park on May 6, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Pedro Martinez Charity)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2aab32fd32173d2bd3d02c99c4d25cc63e55289f2b56337bb925b6c7287b479b.jpg)
3x Super Bowl Champion
Matthew Slater is a 3x Super Bowl Champion. He has been a part of the 2015, 2017, and 2019 winning teams and has four Super Bowl appearances in total.
![ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 03: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team’s 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 03: Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team’s 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 03, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_16,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c05773b2423147534ef4e03954b2ad4d54c0fc5922f2b51adb819f744458b69b.jpg)
We’re excited to have you back, Cap. See you on the field in 2023.