Matt Suhey, the durable fullback who paved the way for Walter Payton and scored the opening touchdown in Super Bowl XX, died over Labor Day weekend at age 68, according to confirmation from the Chicago Bears and multiple reports.
Another foundational pillar of the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears squad has passed away. Suhey died in his sleep Saturday night, according to published reports, leaving behind a legacy defined by unselfish blocking, ironclad durability, and a profound personal bond with the greatest running back in franchise history.
A Decade in Chicago and the Road to Super Bowl XX
Selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft out of Penn State University, Suhey spent his entire 10-year professional career in Chicago. He appeared in 148 regular-season games and started 100 contests before retiring after the 1989 season. Known for rare toughness in the offensive backfield, Suhey never missed a game across his career, anchoring an offense that reached the playoffs in five of his ten years—representing the franchise’s most sustained era of success during the Super Bowl era.
While his primary responsibility was clearing lanes for teammates, Suhey contributed 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, alongside 260 receptions for 2,113 yards and five additional scores through the air. His most iconic individual moment arrived on January 26, 1986, when he dashed for an 11-yard touchdown to open the scoring in Super Bowl XX. That early score propelled the Bears to a dominant 46-10 victory over the New England Patriots, securing the only Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
Suhey’s career is inextricably linked to Walter Payton. For eight seasons, the fullback served as the primary lead blocker for the Hall of Fame running back, helping Payton rack up 9,800 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns during that shared stretch. Suhey blocked for an 1,100-yard rusher in eight of his 10 professional seasons—six belonging to Payton and two belonging to Neal Anderson.
Photo: mlive.com
“Matt watched my dad’s back, kinda like being a bodyguard or protector. He blocked for him, he took a lotta hits, making sure that my dad would get the glory. Matt kinda sat back in the background, very unselfish.”
Jarrett Payton, via USA Today
Off the gridiron, the two players maintained a profound friendship. Payton served as the godfather to Suhey’s son, Scott. Following Payton’s death from liver cancer in 1999, Suhey stood beside his late friend’s family, acting as a buffer against a swarming media horde and later serving as the executor of the Payton estate.
Tributes From Teammates Highlight a Gentleman’s Career
As news of his passing circulated, former teammates remembered Suhey not just for his gritty style of play, but for his steady, professional demeanor in a locker room known for its wild personalities.
Photo: Yahoo Sports
“Quality of character, there was no one superior to Matt. He was truly a gentleman. He wasn’t like a bunch of the rest of us who were cutting up. He was, I don’t want to say more adult, but he was real responsible. He played around with Walter and everyone else but he wasn’t a guy going out to the bar after the game. He was a businessman.”
Chicago Bears Legend Matt Suhey Dies at 68 — 1985 Super Bowl Star Remembered
Dan Hampton, via MLive
Suhey’s deep roots in football stretched beyond Chicago. Born in Pennsylvania on July 7, 1958, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Steve Suhey, and paternal grandfather, Bob Higgins, by starring at Penn State University. He rushed for 2,818 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Nittany Lions before taking his talents to the NFL.
Decades after his playing days ended, Suhey remained a revered figure in Chicago sports history. He was named to the Pennsylvania Football All-Century Team and earned a spot among the 100 greatest Bears of all-time. When former offensive tackle Jimbo Covert entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021, he specifically chose Suhey to present him at the ceremony.
