25 Patriots passionately describe the 'incredible' Matthew Slater

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - On Sunday, Matthew Slater walked into the New England Patriots locker room for what could possibly be the final time as a player. 

Since being drafted in 2008, Slater has proved himself to be the true embodiment of a leader. And when you think about a Patriot, Slater is the true definition.

Throughout the past week, leading up to and following Sunday's season finale, A to Z Sports spoke exclusively with 25 players in the locker room about the type of leader Slater is. 

Here's what they had to say:

C David Andrews

"Yeah I mean, I can't say enough good things about Matthew. I think, like I said we're all better for knowing Matthew Slater. And I think having that impact he's made in this locker room, the community, he'll continue to do it. So I'll always appreciate everything Matthew Slater did and like I said, we're all better for knowing him."

LS Joe Cardona 

"Matthew Slater has one, been a personal mentor and friend, an incredible person to model not only my professional career, but the way he carries himself is something that I think everybody in this locker room can aspire to. And I think when we look back at this place, these last 16 years we've all been incredibly fortunate to play with a guy that is obviously a Hall of Fame talent, but really a person that is one of the best in the league. And for an organization to be so fortunate to have a guy spend his entire career here, I think we're gonna look back and say a lot of success was built upon the foundations of what Matthew brought to this team."

QB Mac Jones 

"Yeah, I mean, Slater's the ultimate teammate, ultimate captain, ultimate person. So I learned a lot from him and just, even off the field too, just the type of person he is, that's the thing that stands out most to me. And obviously, got to play with him for three years and wish him nothing but the best. And obviously, he still has to decide that, but if he wants to come back we obviously love him."

QB Bailey Zappe 

"He means a lot. Especially just personally talking about like the young players like me, it's like somebody to look up to that's been in the league for so long. It's been good for so long just the way he does it, just his mentality, the way he comes to the facility everyday, how he stays late, and always takes care of his body is something that for young players, it's definitely somebody you can look up to and try to like mimic and try to copy what he's been able to do over how long a career he's had. It's not by luck that he's been here for 16 years and been great. He works his butt off so it's awesome to see it."

DB Jabrill Peppers

"I think every organization needs a veteran who, when he speaks, everybody listens, from the youngest guy in the room to the second oldest, because nobody's older than him. But just the wisdom he instills. He knows how to conduct himself on and off the field. A true Pro. Just everything, man. I think with him being in the locker room and on a team, like young guys coming in got a good example to look at both on and off the field. You want to play long, how to be a better man, a better husband, how to deal with trials and tribulations - that's the guy. When you need some uplift, that's your guy. I mean sometimes he doesn't like the young guy's music choices. But other than that, I think every locker room needs a guy like (Slater)."

K Chad Ryland 

"He's probably single handedly the best man I've ever played with. Obviously a great player, the best man and father (and) Christian. There is no one I would want to model my career after as a man than (Slater). And that's same something because there is a lot of good dudes in this locker room. But I think they would all agree with me when they say he's by far the best. Like he's just simply the best."

"He's the backbone. He's the heart and soul. He's the glue, keeps everybody together. When you have a guy like that, that every single person in the locker room respects and that just listens when he's talking, I think that's how you know you have one of those guys, where everyone has respect for him, obviously for what he did on the field, but also how he handles his relationships with the guys in the locker room."

TE Mike Gesicki 

"It's been awesome. It's been a really cool experience just because I feel like he has so much positive energy and so much experience that everybody around him can kind of learn from. And the way that he carries himself, the way that he leads. You can't say enough (Slater), about everything that he's done for the organization."

"A lot of guys, when they lead, whether it's through actions or vocally, like he does both. The way he works, the way that he'll call out the team when he needs to in postgame or whatever. And he always knows the right thing to say. He's always relating it to life and all that kind of stuff. So yeah, I mean he's just like, when you look up Captain in a dictionary, it should really be a picture of (Slater)."

OL Sidy Sow 

"Well the funny thing is obviously as a whole, I don't really play special teams. So throughout the season here and there, I teach him some French, a couple of words, and he teaches me something about special teams. So like I got to learn some of the in-depth special teams, which is kind of cool. And learning from that kind of guy."

"Great person to be around. And honestly that man is so good. His speeches, every single time he starts a speech it's just like wow.

LB Josh Uche

"Speaking for myself, he's meant everything. I was raised on my faith and Matthew stands solid on his faith. To me, that's the epitome of what a man is - somebody who stands firm on their foundation and what they believe in. And Matthew Slater's an inspiration to me."

OL Mike Onwenu

"For me personally, he's played a great role model aspect. And really since the first day I came in, he's always been the guy that everybody's looked forward to or to take advice from... I've just been seeing that every day for four years. It's just, sad it's coming to an end, but happy for him."

WR Demario Douglas 

"That's a man of God. I always ask God for guidance and (Slater) is that guidance. Everything (Slater) says, it hits. It's on point and that's a GOAT. And how long he did it is crazy... He a different breed and I love how he brings the gospel into his life."

"He's seen the game change a lot and he came up to me and says encouraging things. And I'm like, man, it's different coming from him. A captain and a leader. 

TE Pharaoh Brown

"It's been awesome. Matthew is a great guy, great leader. Just seeing how he carries himself, seeing all he does to keep his body right and doing all that. I think kind of just learning and watching how he moves in this process was huge... I remember one time, I was in here at like eight o'clock at night and he was still in here icing up. And he puts the time in and a lot of the young guys, they don't see that. So I think, for me, it's just something like when you see people just trusting, processing, putting in the work, you can learn a lot from that."

DL Lawrence Guy Sr. 

"He's one of the players that I will always look up to as a human being on and off the field. And I admire what he has brought to the game and what he has done for the locker room, what he has done for each and every person in here on and off the field. And I just cherish the time I got to spend with him."

P Bryce Baringer

"I can't put it into words. Because a lot of it is intangible. I understand you can say things that he says, his messages, his demeanor, who he is as a person, the attitude he brings every day. He's obviously the ultimate leader. But putting all that aside, he's helped me so much indirectly. Just being able to see how he goes about his business, how he treats everybody... I think there's very few people in my opinion that will reach the level that he has as a player. But I don't know anyone who can touch people the way that he has, just from a personal standpoint."

SPT Brenden Schooler

"I think he means a lot to a lot of guys on the team in different ways. And getting to work so closely with him, he's helped me grow as a man. And I think the most important part, is developed into a good person because you're going to be a person after you're a football player. But on the football field. But on the football field, he knows so much and has seen so much and in his long 16-year career, he just drops little pieces or nuggets of information and you just sit there and you try to soak everything up. And you watch how he practices and how he works out in the offseason and he's a pro. And just trying to emulate him and do the best I can to try and make it as long as he can. I mean, it's just, he's an awesome human being and I'm going to miss him a lot next year."

DB Kyle Dugger

"He contributes to the organization and each person in every area. Just what he doesn't say, what he does say, what his actions, and just the way he carries himself."

"You don't fill shoes like that. Everybody's just trying to do the best they can, but you don't really fill shoes like that."

CB Myles Bryant 

"I think he's been fundamental in helping me develop as a man, person, and football player. I think there's multiple guys, numerous guys, that have spent time with him throughout the years that say the same thing . So I think he's like a foundation, a cornerstone of this organization."

LB Jahlani Tavai

"(Slater's) really is a true example of a great human being. For myself, he's someone that I can look up to and strive to be on that similar path. And then for this organization, I mean, since I haven't been here since he got here, but since, for the three years I've known him, he hasn't changed, he hasn't gotten big time. He's always been the same Matthew Slater and that's what I appreciate the most."

LB Christian Elliss

"I've been in the league three years and I've never met anybody like him. The man he is, the father, the teammate, captain, he's just an amazing teammate. I've only been here four weeks now and he's already made an impact on me. He showed me how to show Christ though his game. He inspires me to be a better leader. He inspires me to be a better father and a better teammate. So I can't say anything more highly of him. He's the best teammate I've had in this league. 

"For me, I don't know much about the Patriots way. No one's really described that to me, but if it's not him, then who is it. If it's not him, I don't think any of us can say we follow the Patriot way. So I think he's the golden standard for this organization, going forward and for every playing in the league to try and be like him."

DB Adrian Phillips 

"It's hard to even like really put in words because whatever you say about (Slater), he's like 10 times better than that in person. I mean, just coming here, we knew the honor that (Slater) has because of what he's done around the league and his impact on special teams. But coming here, seeing him work firsthand (and) seeing how he attacks every day and just the type of person, it's just unmatched. So for me, I just learned so much from him, outside of football... If you're able to reach people outside of the game, and able to reach them in their lives with their families and stuff like that, I feel like that's a totally different level. And it's just the type of person he is. I don't know if I'll ever have another teammate like (Slater). Those are one in a generation type of people."

LB Chris Board

"I mean, where do I start. He's been here for over a decade, 16 years, so obviously he's like shifted cultures. So he's definitely pivotal within this organization.  One of the best leaders I've ever been around. A leader of men. 10 Time Pro Bowler, five time All Pro - he's got all the accolades. He's just a good man, like a good due, good leader. He does everything. He's definitely a vital part of this team and he's active in the community. He does everything so there's a lot of respect. It's been an honor to play with him just this one season. It's been short, but he's impact my life in a short span... He's a special person for sure."

LB Ja'Whaun Bentley 

"Well me personally, (Slater) has been always a shining light. Everywhere he goes, everywhere he graces us with his presence, he's a shining light and has always been a model person to kind of look at and kind of model yourself after. I can't say enough good things about (Slater). He's been an awesome teammate, awesome brother, awesome leader, awesome captain - all the things."

"Even the ones before him and the ones that have come after him, we all know (Slater) even if you just started watching football somehow. Some way you know about special teams guy Matthew Slater. His name rings bells well beyond this building."

DL Christian Barmore 

"He's everything in the Patriots. I think he's the best Patriot to ever come. Him and Brady. What he did, especially his legacy, his hard work. I watched this man every day... and he really motivates me because he worked so hard, especially for his years. Hardest work I know. And just every time he speaks, we listen, I like to details, especially after the games or before the games. He just a special person."

DE Keion White

"Overall for the team, he provides like a presence of like he's been there before, reassurance, and just the maturity to the team in general."

SPT Cody Davis

"He means everything to me, my family. I feel like we've developed a good relationship with our time here. On the field I've always admired him from afar and then getting to come here and play with him was a dream come true. So I can't say enough about him on and off the field, the man that he is, football player that he is is truly amazing."