Matt Suhey, the former NFL fullback who was part of the Chicago Bears’ iconic 1985 championship team, died over the weekend of natural causes, officials told the California Post.
Suhey, 68, was found dead Sunday at his home in Deerfield, Ill. A spokesperson for the Lake County Coroner’s Office told The Post on Tuesday that an initial police investigation “revealed that there were no suspicious circumstances” connected to his death.
“Our preliminary investigation indicated that Mr. Suhey had a significant medical history and was being treated by a primary care physician (PCP),” Lake County Coroner’s Office chief deputy Steve Newton said. “Therefore, our investigation was limited, and the PCP will be completing the death certificate for him, as it will be Natural Causes.”
Suhey entered the NFL with the Bears in 1980 and spent his entire 10-year professional career in Chicago.
During much of his tenure, Suhey served as a lead blocker for Walter Payton, and in the 1985-86 season, he helped the Bears capture the Super Bowl title.
In the team’s blowout championship victory over the Patriots, Suhey rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown.
As news of his death spread on Sunday, many of his ex teammates offered fond memories of him.
“I kind of remember Matt as a level-headed guy,” former safety Gary Fencik said to the Daily Herald. “You could almost interpret how the offense felt by going through Matt. Just a real valuable teammate and one that, gosh, this was a real shock to all of us.”
Payton’s son, Jarrett, also wrote a touching tribute to Suhey in the wake of his passing, calling the former tailback his “dad’s closest friend.”
“After we lost my dad in 1999, Matt became the biggest father figure I had,” Jarrett wrote on his X page. “When everything felt uncertain, he was there. My dad left him in charge and Matt never let that responsibility sit lightly. He protected our family. He looked after us. He made sure we were okay, year after year, without ever making it about himself. That is who he was.”
Suhey started a total of 100 games in his NFL career and rushed for 2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also recorded 2,113 receiving yards and five receiving scores.