Slay, 35, took to social media to announce his retirement, stating, "Football was my peace, my joy, everything."
The veteran got his career started in 2013 after the Detroit Lions selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft that same year, where he would spend the first seven years of his career.
In 2017, Slay had his monumental year, leading the league in both interceptions (8) and pass deflections (26), earning him First-Team All-Pro honours for the first and last time in his career. After his time in Detroit, Slay would go on to join the Philadelphia Eagles for five years, eventually becoming a Super Bowl champion in 2025 in what was his final season with the team.
After his Super Bowl victory with the Eagles, Slay went on to join the Pittsburgh Steelers via free agency, where he played a career-low 10 games (nine starts). Throughout his entire career, Slay had never played in fewer than 12 games in a season, making him also one of the most durable corners of his era.
Slay's 163 career pass deflections and 148 fumble return yards were the most by any defensive player since 2013.
He finished his career with 655 tackles, 28 interceptions, 17 tackles for loss, five defensive touchdowns, two forced fumbles, and one sack in 187 games (176 starts).