For some players, it's hard to stay away from the game that they've spent their whole life playing even after retiring.
Former New England Patriots special teams ace Matthew Slater announced his retirement from the NFL earlier in the offseason, but he's already back helping the team as they start their offseason program.
"I didn't think he was done anyway," Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers said with a smile. "I think this is his way to kinda stay engaged but take the load off of his body and get some more time with the family but also still be a part of the organization and doing the thing he loves to do."
But, what's his role?
"It said advisor, whatever that means," Peppers said. "As long as I get to bounce some knowledge off of him and see him around the locker room. Having Slate in the locker room, he uplifts spirits. He always knew what to say, so I'm definitely happy that we kept him in the building."
It would be difficult for New England to lose another key leader this offseason like Slater, so, as Peppers acknowledged, this is a good thing that he's sticking around to help out.
