Patriots captain Matthew Slater is announcing his retirement after 16 years.
New England's head coach Jerod Mayo referred to Slater as his "friend, former co-captain, three-time Super Bowl Champion, 10-time Pro-Bowler and an all-time great".
Slater was drafted by the Patriots in 2008 and in a statement he thanked his family, the Kraft family, Patriots fans and former head coach Bill Belichick, among others.
(Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images