Matthew Garrett Forte is an American former professional football player who was a running back for ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tulane Green Wave and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Forte established himself as a dual-threat running back capable of earning yards as a rusher and receiver. He is one of only three players to record at least 1,000 rushing yards and 100 receptions in a single season. Forte spent eight seasons with the Bears before playing for the New York Jets for two seasons.
Forte with the Chicago Bears in 2008
Forte at the Superdome in 2007
Forte takes a handoff from Kyle Orton while playing against the Carolina Panthers in September 2008
Forte attempts to escape from San Francisco 49ers safety Michael Lewis in a 2009 meeting
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The Bears have won nine NFL Championships, including one Super Bowl, and hold the NFL record for the most enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the most retired jersey numbers. The Bears have also recorded the second-most victories of any NFL franchise, only behind the Green Bay Packers, who they have a long-standing rivalry with.
The team's founder George Halas (right) with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, early 1980s
The 1924 team photo
1961 Chicago Bears offensive line in action. "Bears Workout at Soldier Field for Armed Forces game Friday."
Payton set several franchise and NFL records in rushing during his 13-season career with the Bears.