Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey dies at 68

Matt Suhey, who spent his entire ten-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears, died at age 68 over the Labor Day weekend, a source familiar with the matter told USA TODAY Sports. The cause of death has not been made public.

Suhey was a second-round selection from Penn State in 1980 and appeared in 148 games, starting 100 of them before retiring after the 1989 season. He accumulated 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and added 260 receptions for 2,113 yards and five receiving touchdowns.

He scored a rushing touchdown in the Bears’ 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy. Throughout his career he blocked for 1,100-yard rushers in eight of his ten seasons, primarily for Walter Payton and later Neal Anderson.

Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett Payton, said in the NFL Network series "A Football Life" that Suhey acted like a protector for his father, often taking hits to create opportunities for Payton’s success. Payton, who died in 1999, was also the godfather of Suhey’s son, Scott.

Suhey was part of the 1985 Bears squad, a team that has been frequently cited among the NFL’s most successful single-season teams. Other members of that roster, including Steve McMichael and Dave Duerson, have also passed away in recent years. Suhey presented former Bears tackle Jimbo Covert during Covert’s 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.