Staying in the Game: Making the Most of Every Season

In this candid memoir, former pro football player Forté (My Hair Can) opens up about faith, his NFL career, and life afterward. The son of a former college football player, Forté fell in love with the sport at age seven in a way that felt almost preordained (“I recognized that the Lord had blessed me with a talent for football and the ability to use it”). After playing through high school and at Tulane—staying positive during the chaotic aftermath of hurricane Katrina when the team relocated to Texas by keeping his NFL dreams front of mind—he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2008 and then traded to the New York Jets in 2016. Forté remained in the NFL for 10 seasons through injuries and other setbacks and despite the league’s tendency to burn out players. He attributes his success to his stick-to-itiveness, willingness to sacrifice for long-term growth, and ability to pivot with the knowledge that God had bigger plans for him than professional sports. This came in handy after he retired from the league at 32 and dedicated himself to organizations focused on reducing gun violence. While Forté offers some advice that feels rote (“To achieve uncommon results, you must do uncommon things”), his humility and vulnerability support valuable faith-based insights drawn from across his career. Fans will find this worth a look. (Oct.)