{"id":45157,"date":"2023-01-09T17:35:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T22:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=45157"},"modified":"2023-01-09T17:35:39","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T22:35:39","slug":"devin-mccourty-and-matthew-slater-give-their-all-in-potential-final-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2023\/01\/09\/devin-mccourty-and-matthew-slater-give-their-all-in-potential-final-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater Give Their All In Potential Final Game"},"content":{"rendered":"

The end result may not have been what two Patriots championship veterans would have hoped for, but in the potential final NFL game of their illustrious careers, cornerback Devin McCourty and special teamer Matthew Slater each had impacts on the Patriots playing close with the Bills for a good portion of Sunday afternoon in Buffalo.<\/span><\/p>\n

McCourty could be going out on a high note after recording an interception, a fumble recovery, and a big pass-breakup in the end zone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater meanwhile, on a largely forgettable day by the Patriots’ special teams unit, still gave the team a chance by forcing a fumble that gave the offense a second chance late in the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both future Patriot (and perhaps NFL) Hall of Famers were mum Sunday about their plans, but plenty of moments that felt like a farewell from a\u00a0<\/span>teary-eyed<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Slater postgame to an\u00a0<\/span>emotional<\/span><\/a>\u00a0David Andrews press conference.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s fair to the guys in that locker room to just talk about my personal situation,\u201d Slater said postgame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slater answered through tears when asked about McCourty’s impact on his life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s going to make fun of me later for being up here crying and stuff,\u201d Slater\u00a0<\/span>replied<\/span><\/a>. \u201cNo one I\u2019ve ever played has impacted my life more. Simple as that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As for McCourty, he echoed similar sentiments when asked about his own future and the impact Slater had on him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never been in this position like that,\u201d McCourty said. \u201cI think just figuring out what makes me happy, what God has planned in my life going forward. Obviously, I still enjoy playing the game of football, but you can\u2019t do it forever. I think my wife, and my kids, just deciding on what\u2019s best overall for not just me, but the whole family unit and just figuring out what it\u2019s going to be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could give you a better answer right now, but I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m going to enjoy this plane ride back with the guys and just cherish each moment now knowing what\u2019s ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s 37, I\u2019m 35,\u201d McCourty said about Slater. \u201cYou can\u2019t play this game forever. There\u2019s a big unknown with all of that, even what we decide or even what other people decide if you are able to play somewhere and figure that out. But I just always think of, being in these moments, you don\u2019t want to walk away and not be able to speak about what people have meant to you in your life. And Matt\u2019s just been phenomenal for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In the post-Tom Brady era, Slater and McCourty have provided integral leadership roles and are presently the first and second longest-tenured Patriots. Slater was drafted back in 2008 and McCourty in 2010. Both players have been consistently named team captains and are locks for Patriots Hall of Fame red jackets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Should 2022 be the curtain call, both players can now say they went out doing what they did best, making key contributions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

18. pic.twitter.com\/t6w256LHKh<\/a><\/p>\n

— New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> (@Patriots) January 8, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n