Matt Suhey, the reliable fullback who anchored the backfield for the iconic 1985 Chicago Bears, has died at the age of 68. His passing was confirmed by an individual familiar with the matter, though the cause of death remains undisclosed. Suhey spent his entire decade-long NFL career in Chicago, serving as a vital protector and blocker for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
The bond between the two players was profound, both on and off the field. Jarrett Payton, son of the late NFL legend, noted in the documentary series “A Football Life” that his father and Suhey were inseparable because their roles required perfect synchronization. “I felt like my dad and (Suhey) really got close because they had to be on the same page,” Jarrett recalled. He described Suhey as a selfless protector who acted as a bodyguard, absorbing hits to ensure Payton could achieve greatness.
This deep personal connection extended to their families; Walter Payton, who passed away in 1999, served as the godfather to Suhey’s son, Scott. Suhey’s reputation as a teammate was stellar, highlighted by his role in presenting former Bears offensive tackle Jimbo Covert during his 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
A second-round draft choice out of Penn State in 1980, Suhey played 148 games for the franchise, starting 100 of them before retiring after the 1989 season. While his primary duty was blocking—helping teammates reach 1,100 rushing yards in eight of his ten seasons—he was also a capable offensive weapon. Over his career, he recorded 2,946 rushing yards with 20 touchdowns, and added 2,113 receiving yards on 260 catches, including five scores and 93 first downs.
Suhey’s legacy is inextricably linked to the 1985 Bears, a team frequently cited as one of the greatest in NFL history. During their dominant Super Bowl 20 victory over the New England Patriots, Suhey rushed for 52 yards and scored the game’s opening touchdown. In that 46-10 rout, head coach Mike Ditka famously opted not to give Payton a touchdown, a decision later acknowledged as an oversight.
Suhey’s death marks another loss for the 1985 roster, which has seen the passing of several key figures, including Payton, Steve McMichael, and Dave Duerson. During Suhey’s tenure, the Bears reached the playoffs in five seasons, marking the most consistent period of success for the franchise in the Super Bowl era. His career blocking success was split between Payton, who accounted for six of the 1,100-yard seasons, and Neal Anderson, who accounted for the final two, with the 1982 and 1987 campaigns interrupted by player strikes. The report also notes that payton, who died in 1999, 12 years after he retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, was the godfather of Suhey’s son, Scott. The report also notes that matt Suhey, the fullback and best friend of Hall of Famer Walter Payton, whom he so often led to daylight, died over Labor Day weekend.