Full Circle: Matt Forté Returns to Tulane to Share Lessons From the Game of Life

A playbook for perseverance, purpose and faith.

By: Barri Bronston

Fall 2025

As a running back at Slidell High School in the early 2000s, Matt Forté broke records and dreamed of having his pick of top NCAA conferences in which to play.

Forté, the keynote speaker for the Presidential Speaker Series during Wave Weekend 2025, said he felt sure a traditional powerhouse football school would come to call, despite his receiving a disappointing two-star, out of five, recruiting rating.

Forté received just two offers to play running back and only one was from a Division I school — Tulane University. Despite being underrated, Forté proved the naysayers wrong. Fueled by his legendary performance for the Green Wave from 2004-2007, Forté went on to become a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears and was recognized as one of the league’s best as a two-time NFL Pro Bowler.

Forté shared the story of his Tulane years — and his life in general — in his newly released memoir “Stay in the Game: Making the Most of Every Season” (Tynsdale Momentum), co-written with author and sports journalist David L. Thomas.

The memoir blends stories from his football journey with reflections on family, faith and the lessons that shaped his views on success, resilience and legacy.

Forté also reflects on his decision to retire after a decade on the field and on the work that has defined his life since, including the creation of the “What’s Your Forté Foundation,” which addresses gun violence and empowers youth.

Despite his gridiron success, Forté says his life wasn’t without mistakes and disappointments, and he aims to teach the next generation through his own examples.

“Lessons are inevitable in life, whether you’re dealing with grief, the loss of someone in your family, your job or your starting position,” Forté says. “But how do you handle that? How do you remain stable when there is chaos all around you?”

Forté calls attending Tulane one of his best decisions. He was not only able to follow in the footsteps of his father Gene, a former Tulane student-athlete, but also earned a finance degree from the A. B. Freeman School of Business that prepared him for life after football.

“I tell young athletes all the time that getting a college degree is a 40-year decision because of what that degree and that education means after you play ball,” says Forté.

Graduation scene with Harry Connick Jr. and Matt Forte in caps and gowns engaging in animated conversation. The atmosphere is lively and celebratory, highlighting achievement.

Harry Connick Jr. and Matt Forté talk after Commencement 2009. Photo: Sally Asher

Since retiring from football in 2018 and launching his foundation, Forté has also created an athleisure clothing brand called Workhorse 22, begun hosting the Sports Spectrum podcast and, alongside his wife Danielle, co-leads a marriage ministry focused on professional athletes.

Forté continues to visit Tulane as often as he can, sharing favorite traditions such as Crawfest with his children.