Matthew Slater admitted he had given up hope that he’d score a touchdown during his NFL career. In his 12 season in the NFL, Slater had gotten some snaps at receiver. He’d returned a few kicks. But he’d never been in the end zone. And now, his role — exclusively on special teams — doesn’t involve touching the football. At least, not typically.
But after New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson blocked a punt against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, the ball bounced directly into Slater’s hands. He proceeded 10 yards into the end zone. He was stoked.
“Even though I’m 34 years old, I’m still a kid,” Slater told reporters after the game, via The Providence Journal’s Mark Daniels.
His teammates were just as thrilled.
“It was great. I was hoping to get to throw him one,” quarterback Tom Brady said after the game. “He might’ve had a shot (during the 2011 season) on a post that he kind of fell down as he caught it. But it was great to see him in the end zone. He’ll get to keep that ball.”
