Charles Chandler is a Decision reporter covering faith stories around the Super Bowl Media Days in Phoenix. Look for more coverage in an upcoming Decision issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here today.
Asked to discuss how veteran players on the New England Patriots had helped prepare him for Sunday’s Super Bowl, rookie running back Jonas Gray cited two names:
“You learn from guys like Tom (Brady) and Matthew Slater,” he said. “You just follow their lead and the next thing you know, you’re here at the Super Bowl.”
Brady, one of the top quarterbacks in NFL history, is a household name and an obvious choice.
But Matthew Slater?
Though not widely known outside of New England, Slater is a four-time Pro Bowl selection for his standout play on special teams and is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, a former Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle.
Most importantly, however, Matthew is a man in love with Jesus Christ who says he’s learned to cling to the Lord’s promise in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
“I’ve learned so much through times of adversity, of God showing up and really teaching me that I need to lean on Him more,” Matthew said this week in Phoenix as he and the Patriots prepared for Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIX matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
“When [God] talks about things working together for good, it’s not necessarily for my personal good. It’s for the greater good, the good of the Kingdom. The more I think less of me and more of Him, the better off I am.”
Slater’s genuine faith and integrity have made him one of the most respected players on the Patriots. He’s viewed as the team’s unofficial player pastor and is the special teams captain. He’s also a backup wide receiver.
“He’s a huge component to our team,” all-pro tight end Rob Gronkowski said of Slater. “He comes to work every single day with a purpose. It makes other players want to go the same speed he’s going.”
Matthew is widely regarded as football’s best “gunner”—a kamikaze-style player who blazes downfield in pursuit of a kick returner to tackle or an opponent to block.
“The good Lord has really blessed me with the abilities and the opportunities and people in my life to be where I am now,” Slater said.
It’s Slater’s second appearance in the Super Bowl. His father played in one with the Rams. Neither has won the big game, however, so Slater is hoping for a family breakthrough.
Yet football—even winning championships—is far from the preeminent part of his life.
“Football is temporary,” he said. “It’s going to be over for all of us at some point, but when you look at a relationship with Jesus, you understand you’re living for eternity. If you can’t get excited about that, I don’t know what will get you excited.”
