Matt Slauson Announces Retirement

Indianapolis Colts veteran interior lineman Matt Slauson announced the end of his 10 year NFL career on Wednesday.

Matt Slauson outlined his decision to retire in a reflective post on Instagram.

“It has been 10 year amazing years. 4 organizations, and countless friendships. What an amazing dream this has all been. Thanks to all my teammates who have gone into battle with me, the group of coaches that have made me better on and off the field, the fans that were there no matter what, and especially my wife and kids who supported me through it all. It has been a very difficult decision but we are excited for what the next chapter holds.”

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Slauson is renowned for playing on through a potentially life changing injury for the Colts at the start of 2018. During Week 5, he played through two fractured vertebrae against the New England Patriots.

The injury, which he sustained during the game presents a risk of paralysis, especially when the player continues playing.

“I felt like if I could stand,” he told the Indianapolis Star “I could play.”

“I had no idea how close I was to changing my family’s life,” he said.

Matt Slauson was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of that season. It’s no surprise that the injury changed his perspective – hence retiring when he possibly could have continued another few years.

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Slauson was picked out of Nebraska by the New York Jets in the 6th round of the draft in 2009. He started at left guard for the Jets until 2013 when he left for the Chicago Bears. He was cut in 2016 and wound up playing with the then San Diego Chargers in their last season there.

Slauson stayed with the team through their first season in Los Angeles in 2017 before moving to the Indianapolis Colts.