Going pro; Forte selected by Chicago

Running back Matt Forté, a 2004 Slidell High graduate, was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the NFL draft with the 44th overall pick Saturday after a stellar four-year college career at Tulane.

“I’ve been playing football since I was 7-years old. I’m excited to see this dream come true,” said the 6-foot-2, 223-pound running back.

Forté said he is happy to play for Chicago and likes the history of players that have competed at his position for the Bears.

“I feel real good about it. It’s a nice city and they’ve had a lot of good running backs come out. I want to add to the history,” he said.

Forté said he was projected to go in the second or third round, so when the first round was over, the nerves started. He talked about how he found out he was selected.

“When the 44th pick came up, I got a text message from my agent (Adisa Bakari) that they talked to him. Then (Bears’ coach) Lovie (Smith) called right after,” Forté said. “I was excited because the wait was over and I didn’t have to wait until the second day.”

Running back was a need for the Bears, who were ranked 30th out of 32 teams in rushing with 1,330 yards last season. Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson grinded out the bulk of those yards, combining for 1,184. Only Detroit (1,288) and Kansas City (1,248) were worse on the ground.

None of those teams made the playoffs. Three players ran for more yards by themselves than Chicago, including San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson (1,474), Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson (1,341) and Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook (1,333).

Forté said he is hoping to make Chicago a better squad from the start.

“I feel I can come in and contribute to the team whether it’s on special teams or at running back, but I’ll have to work hard,” Forté said.

Wayne Grubb, who was the Slidell coach while Forté was at the school and now serves as an assistant principal, expressed his excitement for his former player.

“I’m extremely happy for Matt and his family,” Grubb said. “He truly deserves an opportunity to play on the next level. He’s worked hard to put himself in that position.”

Grubb said he was on a senior trip in Orlando in a restaurant watching the draft. He had to leave to meet with the group and received a text message from his son Brad that read, “Matt is a Bear.” Wayne then called his son.

Slidell coach Artie Liuzza, who was the offensive coordinator when Forté attended SHS, was watching his son Stephen, a wide receiver, compete in Cornell’s spring game when the Bears took Forté. Artie said he knew from the beginning that Forté would do well.

“We knew Matt was going to succeed when he came through here. When he was being recruited for college, we told them he’d be a great player,” Liuzza said. “He’s got the heart, work ethic and the determination along with the athletic ability to succeed. He sets goals and strives to achieve them.”

Tulane coach Bob Toledo, who completed his first year with the Green Wave, said Forté is more than ready to play in the NFL.

“He’s the total package,” Toledo said. “He’s big, strong, quick, durable, he has great hands and more than that, he’s got great character. He’s never going to be a problem.”

Toledo talked about his experience at the moment Forté was drafted.

“I was talking to my daughter Alissa and his name popped up. I told her I had to go and called to congratulate him,” he said.

Toledo said Forté then showed up at the sports banquet the following night.

The coach said he enjoyed coaching the former Tulane back.

“It was a privilege and an honor. He works so hard. He was a great leader. When he spoke, people listened because he was so quiet,” Toledo said.

Forté’s dad Gene, who played at Tulane from 1975-77, said they were having a draft party with some family and friends.

He said there was a suspicion that if the Bears drafted an offensive lineman first then they may choose Matt second, but that was the scenario for a number of teams.

Gene’s prediction came to fruition as Chicago drafted Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams in the first round, 14th overall.

Gene said he is proud to see his son go to the next level.

“It’s really exciting for a parent. I’m happy for him because I’ve seen the work he has put in for the last 17 years,” Gene said. “I was excited to see him reach his dreams.”

Forté had a breakout season last year as he ran for 2,127 yards on 361 carries (5.9 yard per carry average) and 23 touchdowns. His yardage was second in the NCAA and Conference USA.

He eclipsed his rushing touchdown total for his first three years (16) and was just 11 yards shy of his opening three seasons at Tulane.

For his college career, he ran for 4,265 yards on 833 attempts and finished with 16 100-yard rushing games, all three were second in Green Wave history. Forté, a four-year letterman in college, also set three Tulane records with 99.2 yards per game with 39 rushing TDs and 44 total scores. The other five tallies were of the receiving variety.