Former Bears fullback Matt Suhey, a key member of the famed 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team, passed away Sunday at the age of 68.
A 1980 second-round draft pick from Penn State, Suhey spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Bears. He appeared in 148 games with 100 starts, rushing for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns on 828 carries and catching 260 passes for 2,113 yards and five TDs.
Suhey also served as lead blocker for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton during their eight seasons as teammates. The two remained close friends until Payton passed away in 1999, with Suhey caring for "Sweetness" and later acting as the executor of Payton's estate following his death.
"The Chicago Bears are deeply saddened by the passing of Matt Suhey," the team said in a statement. "Being a fullback epitomized Suhey's play style – tough, physical, and unafraid of any opposition. Matt carried those same qualities off the field, as well. A beloved teammate and treasured friend, Suhey passionately strove to remain connected with the Bears and his teammates long after his playing career, including as a mainstay at Bears Alumni events.
"A decade in the backfield for Chicago, highlighted by paving the way for Hall of Fame RB Walter Payton, the duo of Payton and Suhey helped lead the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons, including in 1985, in which the pair helped the Bears win a World Championship with a victory in Super Bowl XX.
"Our hearts and prayers are with all who loved Matt Suhey. He will be greatly missed."
Suhey played on Bears teams that won five NFC Central championships, two NFC titles and one Super Bowl. His 2,946 yards are 12th on the Bears' all-time rushing list and third among fullbacks. Suhey was ranked as the 70th greatest player in team history by Bears Centennial Scrapbook authors Don Pierson and Dan Pompei as part of the franchise's 100th anniversary celebration in 2019.
Suhey scored the first touchdown in the Bears' 46-10 victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XX on an 11-yard run. In a 24-3 win over the Lions Nov. 10, 1985, Payton (107) and Suhey (102) both rushed for at least 100 yards, becoming the fourth Bears duo to accomplish the feat. (It happened for the fifth time last Nov. 29 when Kyle Monangai rushed for 130 yards and D'Andre Swift added 125 yards in a 24-15 victory over the Eagles.)
Payton and Suhey helped the Bears lead the NFL in rushing for four consecutive seasons from 1983-86.
"When you think about Matt, he was just a real responsible guy," said former Bears safety Gary Fencik, Suhey's teammate for eight seasons. "He really enjoyed being a good friend of Walter's and opening holes for him. I think Matt's contribution to the team was probably understated in that he was an important part of that offense. I know he helped Walter become a better player, and I'm sure he helped some other players as well. He had a good sense of humor, but you wouldn't want to test him on stuff because you'd forget he was a pretty tenacious, strong guy as well."
"He was a great teammate," added former Bears guard Tom Thayer, who played five seasons with Suhey. "He was great for a locker room. He was super intelligent, and he was a great father, a great supporter, a great, level-headed human being. Matt was just an absolutely tremendous guy."
