There are few people who are more respected in the Patriots locker room and New England organization than Pro Bowl special teams captain Matthew Slater.
Whether it’s serving as a team spokesman during troublesome times in Foxborough or getting the team together for its traditional postgame locker room celebration after yet another victory, Slater in many ways has been the voice of the second half of the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady dynasty in New England.
When Slater talks, people listen.
When Slater puts another player on a pedestal as a teammate, worker and contributor to the Patriot Way, it’s not just another soundbite compliment.
Tuesday, in an appearance on the Dale & Keefe Show as part of WEEI’s Feed New England Radiothon present by Shaw’s and Star Market, Slater was asked about the recent retirement of All-Decade Pro Bowl Patriots fullback James Develin. Slater’s response brought even more focus into just the kind man Develin was throughout his time in Foxborough, working his way up from practice squader to unsung impact leader.
“Oh man, I can honestly say that over the course of my life I’ve been playing organized sports since I was four years old and I’ve never had a teammate like James Develin,” Slater declared. “To see a guy be as selfless as he was day in and day out, no ego at all. Just always willing to do what was best for the team. To see him dedicate himself to his craft and give so much of himself consistently was really impressive. And it inspired me to want to be a better teammate, to want to work harder at my craft, to want to be at my best for others. I think James is just, he embodies so many great traits when you talk about being a professional athlete and you talk about guys being role models on how to do it the right way.
“Nobody did it better than James Develin. Nobody was tougher. Nobody had more character, more consistency. And he will be missed but I think we should celebrate what he was able to accomplish, his career is unique in its own right, the path that he took. Nothing was given to him. He earned it. I’m so happy for him and his family.”
Develin has indicated that despite injury fears forcing him to end his playing days in New England that he would be open remaining with the team in some off-field role, and that he certainly wants to continue to work in the game of football at the very least.
Slater wouldn’t have it any other way.
“He has to be around football in some capacity,” Slater said. “I could see him coaching. I could see him being a strength coach. Now there’s a guy who loves the weight room. I’m talking about loves the weight room. So I think if he feels like football is something that he wants to be a part of in some capacity, I know that someone somewhere would be lucky to have him. I know that him and his wife and his kids are going to have to make the decision they feel is best, but I certainly hope to see him involved in football in some capacity.”
In his own appearance on D&K last week, Develin proudly discussed at new personal best squat of more than 700 pounds. According to Slater, the fullback’s work in the weight room is and always will be the stuff of legend inside Gillette Stadium.
“You guys haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen this guy in the weight room,” Slater gushed. “It’s a sight to behold. He has his own rack, which I’m still not sure whether we are going to relinquish that rack to anyone, we might still like mark it off as JD’s rack. But this dude would go in there and he would squad until his legs fell off. And then he’d find a way to do it again. I mean it was unbelievable to watch.”
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