Matt Suhey: Died | 1985 Bears Fullback | Wife | Illness | Net Worth

Matt Suhey, the dependable fullback who helped the Chicago Bears win their first Super Bowl and became one of Walter Payton’s closest friends, has died at the age of 68. Suhey spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Bears and was an important member of the legendary 1985 championship team.

His death has renewed interest in his career, family, health, financial life and role on one of the most famous teams in NFL history.

Matt Suhey died at 68

Matt Suhey died in September 2026 at age 68. The Chicago Bears confirmed his death, while reports from Chicago-area media said he died in his sleep Saturday night.

At this time, a specific medical cause of death has not been publicly disclosed by the family or the Bears. Therefore, claims circulating online about a particular illness should be treated cautiously.

Suhey was born July 7, 1958, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a prominent football family and eventually followed his family tradition by starring at Penn State before reaching the NFL.

Matt Suhey and the 1985 Chicago Bears

Suhey is best remembered as the fullback on the iconic 1985 Chicago Bears team.

Chicago selected him in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft, 46th overall, after his successful college career at Penn State. He remained with the Bears for his entire NFL career, playing from 1980 through 1989.

His primary job was often one of the least glamorous roles in football: blocking.

Suhey frequently cleared running lanes for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. The two developed an exceptionally close friendship, both on and off the field.

The Bears’ rushing attack was particularly dominant during the middle of the 1980s. With Payton and Suhey working together in the backfield, Chicago led the NFL in rushing from 1983 through 1986.

Did Matt Suhey score in Super Bowl XX?

Yes.

Suhey scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl XX, running for an 11-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots. Chicago ultimately won the game 46-10, securing the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship.

Although Payton received much of the attention surrounding the Bears’ offense, Suhey’s contribution was crucial. His blocking helped create opportunities for Payton, while he also proved capable of carrying the ball himself.

Matt Suhey NFL career and stats

Suhey played 10 seasons for Chicago and established himself as one of the NFL’s most durable fullbacks.

According to Reuters, he appeared in 148 regular-season games, starting 100. He finished his career with:

• 2,946 rushing yards
• 20 rushing touchdowns
• 260 receptions
• 2,113 receiving yards
• 5 receiving touchdowns
• 148 regular-season appearances
• 9 playoff appearances

He also scored the opening touchdown of Super Bowl XX.

The Chicago Sun-Times ranked Suhey No. 78 on its list of the 100 Greatest Bears during the franchise’s 100th season.

Matt Suhey and Walter Payton

One of the biggest parts of Suhey’s legacy is his friendship with Walter Payton.

Suhey served as Payton’s lead blocker for much of their time together in Chicago. Their relationship eventually extended far beyond football.

After Payton was diagnosed with a serious liver disease in the late 1990s, Suhey became an important source of support for the Payton family. ESPN previously reported that Suhey helped coordinate information for former teammates and accompanied Payton to medical appointments.

Following Payton’s death in 1999, Suhey remained close to the Payton family and served as an important figure in their lives.

That relationship is a major reason Suhey’s legacy extends beyond his statistics.

Who was Matt Suhey’s wife?

Publicly available reporting has focused much more heavily on Suhey’s football career and his relationship with Walter Payton than on his personal marriage.

Reliable major-media sources available following his death have not provided a confirmed name for Suhey’s wife. Because of that, it would be inappropriate to present an unverified name from low-quality biography or celebrity websites as fact.

Suhey did have a family and was described by ESPN as having three young children during his post-NFL years.

Did Matt Suhey have an illness?

There is no confirmed public report identifying a terminal illness that caused Suhey’s death.

During his playing career, Suhey did deal with significant football-related injuries. In 1986, for example, he was reported to have suffered from a herniated disc in his back after the Bears’ championship season. Team doctors kept him from contact for six months.

However, that historical back injury should not be confused with a confirmed cause of death in 2026.

Reports surrounding his death say he died in his sleep, but the precise medical cause has not been publicly established in the reliable sources reviewed for this article.

Matt Suhey’s net worth

Matt Suhey’s exact net worth was not publicly verified.

There are websites that publish specific estimates, but there is no reliable financial disclosure or authoritative source establishing a definitive figure. Consequently, quoting a precise net-worth number would be misleading.

After retiring from football in 1989, Suhey moved into business and financial work. ESPN reported that he became an investment banker, while earlier reporting also described his involvement in business ventures after his NFL career.

His 10-year NFL career, later professional work and business activities undoubtedly contributed to his financial position, but his personal wealth was private.

What did Matt Suhey do after football?

Suhey’s life after the NFL was considerably different from his playing career.

He moved into business and investment work after retiring from the Bears. He also maintained a close relationship with the Payton family and remained connected to former Chicago teammates.

His football knowledge and reputation also remained respected within the Bears organization. In 2021, Suhey served as presenter for former Bears offensive lineman Jimbo Covert during Covert’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.

Matt Suhey’s Penn State connection

Before becoming a Bear, Suhey was an outstanding player at Penn State.

From 1976 through 1979, he recorded 2,818 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in 42 games, establishing himself as a major college football talent.

Football was also a family tradition. His father, Steve Suhey, played for Penn State and later played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Suhey’s grandfather, Bob Higgins, also played football at Penn State and professionally.

Matt Suhey’s legacy

Matt Suhey was never the flashiest player on the 1985 Bears. His importance came from doing the difficult work that allowed other players to shine.

He blocked for Walter Payton, contributed as a runner and receiver, and played an important role on the Bears’ championship team. His touchdown in Super Bowl XX gave him a permanent place in Chicago sports history.

More importantly, his friendship with Payton showed another side of his character. Suhey remained a trusted friend to Payton and continued supporting his family after the Hall of Famer’s death.

His passing at 68 marks the loss of another important member of the legendary 1985 Bears.

Matt Suhey: Quick facts

FAQs about Matt Suhey

How did Matt Suhey die?

Matt Suhey died at age 68 in September 2026. Multiple reports said he died in his sleep, but a specific medical cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Was Matt Suhey on the 1985 Bears?

Yes. Suhey was the starting fullback on the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears team that won Super Bowl XX.

Did Matt Suhey score a Super Bowl touchdown?

Yes. He scored an 11-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XX, giving Chicago the game’s first touchdown in its 46-10 victory over New England.

Was Matt Suhey Walter Payton’s friend?

Yes. Suhey and Payton were extremely close teammates and friends. Suhey served as Payton’s lead blocker for much of his Bears career and remained close to the Payton family after Walter’s death.

How old was Matt Suhey when he died?

Matt Suhey was 68 years old when he died.

What was Matt Suhey’s net worth?

His exact net worth is not publicly verified. Reliable sources do not establish a definitive dollar amount.

Who was Matt Suhey’s wife?

Reliable current reports following his death have not publicly confirmed the name of his wife. It is best to avoid repeating unverified online claims.

What illness did Matt Suhey have?

No specific illness has been publicly confirmed as the cause of his death. During his NFL career, he dealt with a herniated disc in his back, but that was a football injury reported in 1986.

Final thoughts

Matt Suhey’s career was built on teamwork, toughness and consistency. He spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, helped Walter Payton produce some of the greatest rushing seasons in NFL history and scored an iconic touchdown in Super Bowl XX.

His death at 68 brings an end to the life of one of the most respected members of the 1985 Bears. While his statistics may not match those of the team’s biggest stars, Suhey’s role in Chicago’s championship history—and his lifelong friendship with Walter Payton—ensures that his legacy will endure.