Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey, 1985 Super Bowl hero, dies at 68

Matt Suhey, the former Chicago Bears fullback who helped the team win its sole Lombardi Trophy in the mid-1980s, died at 68 on Sunday. Drafted out of Penn State in the second round of the 1980 NFL draft, he spent a decade with the Bears, serving as the primary blocker for Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton. Suhey scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl XX on an 11-yard run and participated in five straight playoff runs from the mid-1980s onward.

He played in 148 of a possible 152 games, accumulating 2,946 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 260 catches for 2,113 yards and five receiving touchdowns. Former Sun-a columnist at one outlet highlighted Suhey’s deep bond with Payton, noting his support during Payton’s final illness. The Bears honored Suhey as one of their most reliable and celebrated players.