Matt Suhey Cause of Death: Chicago Bears 1985 Fullback Reportedly Dies at 68 After ALS Battle
The football world is mourning the reported passing of Matt Suhey, the longtime Chicago Bears fullback and beloved member of the legendary 1985 championship team. Suhey was reportedly 68 years old and died following a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to the report shared by the Chicago Bears family community.
News of Suhey’s reported death has brought renewed attention to a player whose contributions went far beyond statistics. As a fullback for the Chicago Bears, he became an important part of one of the most memorable teams in NFL history and earned a lasting place in the hearts of Bears supporters.
Remembering Matt Suhey
Born July 7, 1958, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Matthew Jerome Suhey built his football career through Penn State before entering the NFL. The Chicago Bears selected him in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft, beginning a decade-long professional career with the organization.
Suhey appeared in 148 regular-season games for Chicago, starting 100 of them. He finished his NFL career with 2,946 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, while also contributing 2,113 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
His greatest recognition came as a member of the extraordinary 1985 Chicago Bears team. Suhey played an important role in the team’s powerful rushing attack and was particularly valued for the work he did as a blocker.
That unselfish role was central to the Bears’ success and helped create opportunities for one of football’s greatest running backs, Walter Payton.
A Key Part of the 1985 Chicago Bears
The 1985 Bears remain one of the most celebrated teams in NFL history, and Suhey’s name is inseparable from that championship season.
Chicago went on to defeat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, and Suhey scored the Bears’ first touchdown of the game. His performance during that historic season helped cement his place among the players remembered whenever the legendary Bears team is discussed.
Although fullbacks rarely received the same attention as star running backs, quarterbacks or receivers, Suhey’s importance was recognized by teammates and supporters. His physical style, reliability and willingness to perform the less glamorous parts of the position made him a valuable member of the team.
Matt Suhey and Walter Payton
One of the most meaningful parts of Suhey’s football legacy was his relationship with Walter Payton.
The two were Chicago teammates and backfield partners, with Suhey frequently serving as Payton’s lead blocker. Their relationship developed beyond the football field and continued after their playing careers.
Suhey remained close to the Payton family following Walter Payton’s death and eventually served as executor of Payton’s estate. That connection reflected the depth of the friendship formed during their years together in Chicago.
For many Bears fans, remembering Matt Suhey therefore means remembering not only a championship team but also the relationships and camaraderie that defined that era of Chicago football.
Cause of Death
The report announcing Suhey’s death states that he died after a battle with ALS. At the time of writing, the ALS claim and reported death should be understood in the context of the announcement provided by the Chicago Bears family community; a detailed independent obituary or official medical statement has not been located.
ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement. Suhey’s reported battle with the disease adds another deeply personal dimension to the news of his passing.
A Lasting Chicago Bears Legacy
Matt Suhey’s legacy extends well beyond his career statistics.
He was part of a Chicago Bears team that captured the imagination of an entire generation of football fans. His work as a fullback, teammate and blocker helped support the success of some of the most recognizable players in franchise history.
For supporters who remember the 1985 Bears, Suhey will remain part of that unforgettable championship story.
If his reported passing is confirmed by the family or Chicago Bears organization, his death will mark the loss of another member of one of the NFL’s most iconic championship teams. His football career, friendship with Walter Payton and contributions to the Bears’ historic 1985 season ensure that his name will remain part of Chicago football history.
Matt Suhey’s reported passing has prompted an outpouring of remembrance from those who admired his career and the role he played in one of the greatest chapters in Bears history. His legacy lives on through the team, the championship memories and the generations of fans who continue to remember the 1985 Chicago Bears.