Matt Suhey Obituary-The football world is mourning the death of Matt Suhey, the longtime Chicago Bears fullback and member of the franchise’s legendary 1985 Super Bowl championship team. Suhey died on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the age of 68, according to multiple reports, with the Chicago Bears confirming his death to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Suhey’s passing marks the loss of one of the most respected players from one of the most memorable teams in NFL history. While his role was often less celebrated than that of the stars around him, he was an essential part of the Bears’ powerful offense during the 1980s.
He was especially remembered as the lead blocker for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, with whom he developed a close friendship both on and off the football field.
Matt Suhey Dies at 68
News of Suhey’s death was reported Sunday, with former teammates and Chicago football figures reacting with shock and sadness.
Reports from the Chicago area said Suhey died in his sleep Saturday night, although this detail has been attributed to former teammates rather than an official medical statement.
At this time, a specific medical cause of death has not been publicly established by the sources confirming his passing. Some online reports have made additional claims about his final moments, but those details should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by his family or another authoritative source.
What is firmly established is that Suhey died at 68 after leaving behind a remarkable football career and a lasting connection to the Chicago Bears organization.
A Key Member of the 1985 Chicago Bears
For many football fans, Matt Suhey will forever be connected to the 1985 Chicago Bears, a team widely regarded as one of the most iconic squads in NFL history.
Chicago’s 1985 season culminated in a dominant victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, where the Bears won 46-10.
Suhey played a memorable role in that championship performance. He scored the first touchdown of the game, breaking through for an 11-yard touchdown run as Chicago established control over the Patriots.
The touchdown became one of the defining moments of Suhey’s career, but his contribution to that Bears team went well beyond one play.
He was part of the physical foundation that allowed Chicago’s offense to operate effectively, particularly through his blocking and work in the backfield.
Matt Suhey and Walter Payton
Perhaps no relationship better defined Suhey’s football career than his partnership with Walter Payton.
Payton was the superstar, the Hall of Fame running back whose name became synonymous with the Chicago Bears. Suhey, meanwhile, frequently performed the less glamorous work of opening running lanes and protecting his teammate.
The two became extremely close.
Suhey served as Payton’s lead blocker for much of their time together, and their chemistry became an important component of Chicago’s running game. They were also close friends away from the field.
Their friendship became one of the more enduring relationships associated with the Bears of the 1980s.
The pair helped lead an offense that dominated on the ground, with Chicago ranking among the NFL’s strongest rushing teams during the middle of the decade.
For Suhey, helping Payton succeed was part of his job—and he excelled at it.
A Ten-Year Career With the Chicago Bears
Suhey’s NFL career was remarkably consistent.
The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft out of Penn State, and he spent his entire professional career with the organization. He played for Chicago from 1980 through 1989, never wearing another NFL uniform.
Over 10 seasons, Suhey appeared in 148 regular-season games, starting 100 of them.
His career statistics included:
- 2,946 rushing yards
- 20 rushing touchdowns
- 2,113 receiving yards
- 260 receptions
- 5 receiving touchdowns
- 148 regular-season appearances
He also played in nine playoff games, all as a starter, and contributed to the Bears’ historic championship run.
His durability was another defining characteristic.
Suhey was available throughout virtually his entire decade in Chicago, establishing a reputation as a dependable and tough player who consistently did the work required of his position.
More Than a Blocker
Although Suhey became especially known for his blocking, his career statistics show that he was more than simply a supporting player.
He was an effective runner and receiver when called upon.
His 2,946 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns demonstrate the contributions he made with the ball, while his 260 receptions for more than 2,100 receiving yards illustrate his versatility.
Yet statistics only tell part of his story.
Fullbacks frequently perform work that does not appear prominently on a box score. Opening lanes, protecting quarterbacks and running backs, absorbing contact and executing assignments can determine whether an offensive play succeeds.
Suhey embraced that role.
His willingness to perform the less glamorous aspects of football helped make him a valued teammate and an important piece of the Bears’ championship-era offense.
Matt Suhey’s Penn State Career
Before becoming a Chicago Bears standout, Suhey established himself at Penn State University.
He played college football for Penn State from 1976 through 1979 and finished his collegiate career with 2,818 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in 42 games.
His performance at Penn State helped establish him as an NFL prospect and ultimately led to Chicago selecting him in the second round of the 1980 draft.
Suhey’s connection to Penn State was also part of a broader football family tradition.
His father, Steve Suhey, played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers and also played at Penn State. Suhey’s grandfather and family connections further tied the family to the university and the sport.
A Family With Deep Football Roots
Football was woven into the Suhey family’s history.
Matt followed his father into Penn State football and eventually reached the NFL, continuing a tradition that connected multiple generations of his family to the sport.
That background helped shape his career, but Matt established his own identity through his accomplishments with the Bears.
His 10 seasons in Chicago, Super Bowl championship and longstanding relationship with Walter Payton made him a distinctive part of the franchise’s history.
Life After Football
Suhey retired from professional football in 1989, ending a 10-year NFL career spent entirely with the Bears.
However, his relationship with the organization and former teammates continued long after he left the field.
He remained connected to the Bears community and was remembered as someone who continued to support former teammates.
One notable example came when former Bears offensive lineman Jim Covert selected Suhey as his presenter for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction. Covert had spoken about Suhey’s influence and mentorship, further reflecting the respect he commanded among former teammates.
His post-playing relationship with the Payton family was also significant, particularly after Walter Payton’s death.
Remembering a Quietly Important Player
The history of football often focuses on quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and defensive stars.
But championship teams depend on players willing to perform important work without always receiving the spotlight.
Suhey was one of those players.
He helped create opportunities for Payton, contributed as a runner and receiver, and provided the physical presence expected from a fullback.
His importance was recognized by those who played alongside him.
The Chicago Sun-Times ranked Suhey No. 78 on its list of the 100 Greatest Bears of All Time in 2019, a reflection of his standing within the franchise’s history.
Matt Suhey’s Legacy With the Bears
Suhey’s legacy is closely connected to one of the most successful periods in Chicago Bears history.
The Bears made five consecutive playoff appearances from 1984 through 1988, a remarkable run that included the franchise’s first and, at the time of his death, only Super Bowl championship.
Suhey was there throughout that era.
He was not simply a member of the 1985 championship roster. He was an important contributor to the team’s identity and offensive approach.
His physical style, reliability and willingness to perform his role helped establish the foundation for a team that became one of the defining stories of 1980s football.
Cause of Death and Final Reports
The confirmed reports state that Matt Suhey died at age 68 on September 6, 2026. The Chicago Bears confirmed his death, and multiple reputable news organizations have reported his passing.
Reports from former teammates and Chicago media have said that Suhey died in his sleep Saturday night.
However, no specific medical cause of death has been confirmed in the reliable reports reviewed for this article.
Accordingly, claims about a particular illness or medical condition should not be presented as established fact unless Suhey’s family or an authoritative source provides confirmation.
A Lasting Connection to Walter Payton
For many fans, remembering Matt Suhey also means remembering Walter Payton.
Their relationship represented something special about professional sports: two teammates whose professional chemistry developed into a genuine friendship.
Payton received much of the public attention, while Suhey frequently worked behind the scenes to help him succeed.
Together, they became one of the memorable backfield partnerships of the Bears’ championship era.
Suhey’s importance to Payton’s career was not merely tactical. The two were friends, and their relationship remained important beyond their playing days.
That bond is now an important part of the story Suhey leaves behind.
Remembering Matt Suhey at 68
Matt Suhey’s death represents the loss of an important member of Chicago football history.
He was a champion, a Penn State standout, a longtime Bear, a trusted teammate and a close friend of Walter Payton.
But his legacy cannot be reduced to statistics.
His career demonstrated the value of doing difficult work for the benefit of an entire team. His blocking helped create opportunities for one of football’s greatest running backs. His reliability made him a trusted member of the Bears. His friendship with Payton connected him to one of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports history.
For Bears fans who remember the 1985 championship team, Suhey’s name will forever be part of that unforgettable season.
Final Tribute to Matt Suhey
Matt Suhey died at 68, leaving behind a remarkable football legacy and generations of fans who remember his contribution to the Chicago Bears.
He spent his entire 10-year NFL career in Chicago, helped the Bears capture their historic Super Bowl XX victory, scored the game’s opening touchdown and played a crucial role as Walter Payton’s lead blocker.
But perhaps his greatest legacy is the respect he earned from the people who knew him.
Matt Suhey was the kind of player whose contributions did not always dominate headlines but were essential to the success of his team.
His name will remain connected to the 1985 Bears, to Penn State football, to Walter Payton and to one of the most celebrated eras in Chicago sports.
As the Bears community mourns his death, fans and former teammates are left to remember a player who gave a decade of his life to the franchise and helped create memories that remain decades later.
May Matt Suhey rest in peace. His contributions to the Chicago Bears, his friendship with Walter Payton, and his place in NFL history will not be forgotten.