Matt Suhey, the reliable fullback who spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears and served as a primary blocker for Hall of Famer Walter Payton, has died at age 68. His passing was confirmed by a source familiar with the situation, though the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
A second-round draft pick out of Penn State in 1980, Suhey became a cornerstone of the Bears’ offense, appearing in 148 games and starting 100 before retiring after the 1989 season. Throughout his tenure, he proved to be an unselfish player, frequently sacrificing his own statistics to protect and clear paths for his teammates. He successfully blocked for an 1,100-yard rusher in eight of his 10 seasons, with Payton accounting for six of those campaigns and Neal Anderson for the final two. The only exceptions were the 1982 and 1987 seasons, which were shortened by player strikes.
The bond between Suhey and Payton extended well beyond the gridiron. Jarrett Payton, Walter’s son, noted in the NFL Network docuseries “A Football Life” that the two men were exceptionally close, describing Suhey as a “bodyguard or protector” who watched his father’s back. The depth of their friendship was such that Walter Payton, who passed away in 1999, served as the godfather to Suhey’s son, Scott.
Suhey’s contributions were instrumental during the legendary 1985 season, which culminated in a 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 20. In that game, Suhey rushed for 52 yards and scored the team’s first touchdown—a moment that remains notable as it was the only time the historic franchise has secured a Lombardi Trophy. While Payton did not score in that blowout, head coach Mike Ditka later admitted the oversight.
Beyond his blocking prowess, Suhey was a versatile offensive weapon, recording 260 receptions for 2,113 yards, five touchdowns, and 93 first downs. His legacy as a teammate was further cemented in 2021 when he served as the presenter for former Bears offensive tackle Jimbo Covert during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
Suhey’s death marks the loss of another iconic figure from the 1985 Bears, a team widely regarded as one of the greatest in NFL history. His passing follows the deaths of other notable members, including Payton, Steve McMichael, and Dave Duerson. During Suhey’s decade with the organization, the Bears reached the playoffs five times, representing the team’s most consistent period of success in the Super Bowl era. 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 payton, Suhey, Hall of Famer Steve McMichael and former safety Dave Duerson are among members from the famed ’85 Bears, arguably the greatest single-season team in NFL history and one that crossed over into popular cultu. The report also notes that that person was granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
