Matt Suhey: An NFL Legend Dies at Age 68
The former Chicago Bears fullback, a member of the historic 1985 championship team, died over Labor Day weekend in the United States.
M att Suhey , the legendary fullback for the Chicago Bears who, alongside Walter Payton , was a key player on the legendary 1985 team, died at the age of 68 over Labor Day weekend. That team was crowned NFL champion after winning Super Bowl XX and, to this day, remains the only Bears team to have ever lifted the trophy.
Suhey spent his entire professional career in Chicago , playing for 10 seasons. During that time, he played in 148 games, racking up 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, as well as 2,113 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
The 1985 “Golden Generation” Loses Another of Its Stars
The best friend of Hall of Famer Walter Payton—whom he often outpaced in rushing yards—passed away over the weekend, specifically on Saturday, September 5. The news was confirmed by former teammates and later by the Chicago Bears.
According to local reports, the former athlete passed away “peacefully” in his sleep. At this time, the cause of death has not been reported, nor is it known whether he had any underlying health conditions.
Suhey’s death marks another significant loss for that extraordinary generation of Chicago players. Along with Payton, Steve McMichael, and Dave Duerson, he is part of an increasingly small group of key players from the legendary 1985 team.
The Legacy Left in the NFL by the Man Who Protected Walter Payton
For years, Suhey was the primary blocker for Payton, one of the best running backs in NFL history .
Jarrett Payton , Walter’s son, explained in the series " A Football Life" that Suhey essentially acted as a bodyguard for his father. As he recalled, the fullback was willing to do the hard work so that Payton could receive the recognition.
Although his primary role was as a blocker, Suhey also had his own moment of glory. In Super Bowl , played in January 1986, he caught the ball and ran 11 yards to score the Bears’ first touchdown of the game against the New England Patriots. Chicago went on to win 46–10 and claimed what remains the franchise’s only Super Bowl title.
Suhey was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 draft out of Penn State and remained in Chicago for his entire professional career. He left his mark forever on one of the most memorable generations in the franchise’s history.
