🖤🏈 RIP MATT SUHEY — A RESPECTED CHICAGO BEAR AND AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE LEGENDARY 1985 TEAM’S HISTORY
The Chicago Bears family is mourning the loss of one of the most respected and unselfish players from one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Matt Suhey, the dependable fullback who spent his entire 10-year professional career with the Bears and played a crucial role on the legendary 1985 Super Bowl championship team, has died at the age of 68. The Bears confirmed that Suhey passed away Sunday morning, September 6, 2026. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
For many football fans, Suhey’s name will forever be connected to the unforgettable Chicago Bears team of 1985. That squad captured the imagination of an entire city with its dominant defense, powerful running game, larger-than-life personalities and remarkable unity. While stars such as Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and William “The Refrigerator” Perry received enormous attention, Suhey represented something equally important: the willingness to do the difficult work that allowed everyone around him to succeed.
Born in Pennsylvania, Suhey followed a remarkable football family tradition at Penn State. He played for the Nittany Lions from 1976 through 1979, rushing for 2,818 yards and 26 touchdowns during his college career. His performances helped establish him as one of the standout fullbacks of his era, and the Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft, 46th overall.
Suhey would go on to spend every one of his 10 NFL seasons with Chicago. In 148 regular-season games, including 100 starts, he rushed for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns while also recording 260 receptions for 2,113 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Those numbers reflected his versatility and durability, but statistics alone cannot fully explain his importance to the Bears.
Perhaps Suhey’s most important responsibility was helping Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton find running room. For eight seasons, Suhey served as Payton’s lead blocker, frequently sacrificing his own opportunities and absorbing punishment so that his teammate could make the spectacular plays that made him one of football’s greatest legends.
That relationship became much more than a football partnership. Suhey and Payton developed a close friendship that continued long after their playing careers. Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett Payton, later described Suhey as someone who essentially watched his father’s back, comparing his role to that of a protector. The description perfectly captured the selfless nature that defined Suhey’s career.
Then came the 1985 season.
The Bears finished the regular season 15-1 and entered the postseason as one of the most intimidating teams in football. Chicago dominated the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs before reaching Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots.
On January 26, 1986, Suhey helped write his name into Super Bowl history.
Early in the game, he took an 11-yard run into the end zone for the first touchdown of the contest. Chicago went on to destroy New England 46-10, securing the franchise’s first and, to this day, only Super Bowl championship. Suhey finished the game with 52 rushing yards on 11 carries and also contributed a 24-yard reception.
That touchdown remains one of the defining moments of his career. Yet perhaps the most fitting part of Suhey’s legacy is that his greatest contribution often came when he was not carrying the football at all.
He blocked.
He protected.
He opened lanes.
He did the work that allowed others to shine.
That was Matt Suhey.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Suhey remained closely connected to the Bears and to the football community. He was remembered not only for his accomplishments on the field but also for his character, loyalty and relationships with teammates. The Chicago Sun-Times noted that he was one of the reliable and beloved members of the Bears during their remarkable run in the 1980s.
His passing has brought renewed memories of the 1985 Bears and the special bond that team shared. For generations of Chicago fans, that championship represents far more than a Super Bowl victory. It represents an era, a personality and a group of players who became permanently woven into the identity of the city.
Matt Suhey was an essential part of that story.
He may not always have been the loudest player or the most celebrated star, but football history is built by players like him. Players who put the team first. Players who accept the difficult assignments. Players who make sacrifices without demanding recognition.
As Bears fans remember the unforgettable images of the 1985 championship season, Suhey’s legacy will remain alongside them — running behind the line, protecting Walter Payton, battling through defenders and ultimately crossing the goal line in Super Bowl XX.
Matt Suhey leaves behind a legacy of toughness, humility, friendship and service to his team.
The Chicago Bears have lost an important member of their family, and football has lost a player who embodied the unselfish spirit of the game.
🖤🏈 Rest in peace, Matt Suhey. Your name will forever be part of Chicago Bears history, and your contributions to the legendary 1985 championship team will never be forgotten.
