Kyle Long

Long says Forte wears a 'Workhorse' shirt at Bears' facility every day

Published Sep. 16, 2015 9:06 a.m. ET

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Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is as tough as they come.

Forte has averaged over 1,600 yards from scrimmage per season since the Bears selected him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Last Sunday against the Packers, the 29-year-old back continued to power Chicago's offense by racking up 166 yards on 29 total offensive touches.

Forte has earned the respect of his teammates, including offensive lineman Kyle Long. This is their third season as teammates, so Long can testify to Forte's hard work, consistency and commitment.

In fact, he did so on “The Waddle and Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000 on Tuesday, per ESPN's Jeff Dickerson:

Matt Forte wears a shirt at the facility every day since my rookie year -- it’s a cutoff shirt so his big, ole guns can stick out -- and on the bottom it says "22," and up top is says "Workhorse."

If I had any issue with him wearing that shirt or if I didn’t think there was any validity to that statement, I’d tell him to take it off. But the guy earns it every day. He’s a shining example of what you are supposed to be like as a pro. He never complains. Never takes plays off. And it shows on Sundays.

ESPN points out that Forte's average of 107.4 yards from scrimmage per game is second only in franchise history to Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, who averaged 111.9 yards from scrimmage per game.

If the Bears want to rebound from last week's season-opening loss, they must continue to give Forte as much as he can handle.

(h/t ESPN)

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Kyle Long

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