Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey, a key member of the famous 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team, died at the age of 68 on September 6, 2026.
The lead blocker and champion
Drafted out of Penn State in 1980, Suhey spent his entire 10-year NFL career with Chicago. Known for his incredible durability and selfless play, he never missed a single game across his decade in the league.
Suhey posted 5,059 career yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns. His most memorable scoring play came on January 26, 1986, when he scored the opening touchdown in Super Bowl XX, helping propel the Bears to a historic 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots.
A lifelong bond on and off the field
While Suhey was a formidable offensive threat in his own right, he was best known as the primary lead blocker for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
Their chemistry in the backfield developed into a deep personal bond making Suhey and Payton lifelong best friends. Suhey remained fiercely loyal to Payton off the field as well supporting him through his illness and later serving as the executor of the Payton estate.
Remembered by Bears nation
Selected as one of the 100 Greatest Bears of All Time, Suhey leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a selfless teammate, fan favorite and enduring pillar of Chicago sports history.
