Matt Forte Wins Piccolo Award But Skips Ceremony
(CBS) Bears running back Matt Forte was named the team's veteran Piccolo Award winner Tuesday, but he wasn't at the ceremony at Halas Hall to receive the award in what chairman George McCaskey termed a "personal decision."
This absence follows Forte missing the Bears' voluntary workouts to date. Forte has one year left on his contract, but in an Instagram post, he denied that it's a move to gain negotiating leverage. He's out of town doing "rigorous speed training" to get ready for the new season and said he'll be at mandatory mini-camp.
The Bears held a voluntary mini-camp practice later Tuesday afternoon that Forte wasn't at.
So with all these media reports saying I'm skipping "voluntary" W/O to leverage a contract it's time to set the record straight. If the Bears want to give me a contract ext. they will; if they don't they won't. I'm not mad or holding a grudge. I don't operate like that. I'm not there because I'm finishing my third week of rigorous speed training in which we do not do at Halas hall. This was already my plan as of seasons end last year because after evaluating myself (which all players should do) I felt I was missing something. As for missing voluntary minicamp. There is OTA's (phase 2) and mandatory minicamp in which I will be present for. This is not an explanation of guilt. This is an explanation because I value you all as fans. But what I do not value is your opinion on what I should do to best prepare for the season. As for the piccolo award this training trip was planned long before our offseason schedule was released to us. I value this award greatly as it is my second time winning this prestigious award. Unfortunately my decision to work on my body and craft in preparation for the season did not coincide. I've come to realize that this year along with each reception or carry might be my last in a Bears uniform. So with that being said its all LOVE Chicago.
Asked if it was awkward to not have Forte at the ceremony, McCaskey responded, "I don't think so." McCaskey was uncertain how much communication Forte has had with general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox.
"That's an intensely personal decision, and I think that decision should be respected," McCaskey said of Forte's absence.
"He's a valuable part of the organization, and we're looking forward to getting him in here.
"We'd like to get him here for practice, but we know that Matt takes very good care of himself."
The Piccolo Award is a prestigious honor in the Bears organization. It's voted on by players for the teammate who demonstrates courage, loyalty and teamwork that honors the late Brian Piccolo, a running back for the Bears in the 1960s who passed away in 1970 following a fight with cancer.
"Brian's got a special part of our hearts in the McCaskey family," McCaskey said.
In 2008, then-Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher skipped the offseason workout program in a leverage ploy but still attended the Piccolo Award ceremony, the Tribune's Brad Biggs reported.
Cornerback Kyle Fuller was the team's rookie Piccolo Award winner.
"You could tell from the moment he walked in the door last year that he was very mature," McCaskey said. "Very knowledgeable. Without even looking at him on the field. you could tell he was going to be a great Bear. He certainly proven that in his first season, and we're looking for more great things from him to come."
