Former NFL star Matt Forte is one of only three professional Football stars who can claim to have membership of the “1000-yard rushing, 100-catch season” club. He spent most of his playing career with the Chicago Bears and has been recognised as one of their 100 all-time greatest players, if not one of the greatest running backs of all time. Whilst playing for the Bears, he also played in two Pro-Bowls and won two Brian Piccolo Awards. After retiring in 2018, he spent two years working for NBC Sports in Chicago but now dedicates most of his time to Biblica, a Christian missionary organisation that provides translations of The Bible to some of the world’s poorest, hardest-to-reach areas.

Forte’s Football career began in earnest during his college years, which he spent playing for Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He won much respect and various accolades during his four years with them, including two All-Conference USA honours and the MVP Award from the 2008 Senior Bowl. Unsurprisingly, he was picked up in that year’s NFL Draft, being picked by the Chicago Bears in the second round. He made a huge impact during his first season, breaking a club rookie reception record that had stood for nearly 50 years. Such form became characteristic of his career – in 2012, he was the first Bears running back to be named to the Pro Bowl in over 20 years. By 2014, he was widely regarded as one of the best NFL running backs of all time.

After spending two years with the New York Jets, Forte signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Bears, allowing him to retire as one of their players.