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Associated Press

Sep 7, 2026, 01:03 PM ET

Matt Suhey, a fullback who helped Walter Payton and the Chicago Bears win the 1985 NFL championship, has died. He was 68.

The Bears confirmed Suhey died on Sunday morning. No other details were provided.

Suhey played for Chicago for 10 seasons after he was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 draft. He helped clear the way for Payton to become the NFL's career leading rusher, a record Payton held until Emmitt Smith surpassed his total on Oct. 27, 2002.

Suhey and Payton were close friends. Payton served as the godfather for Suhey's youngest son, Scott.

"Matt watched my dad's back, kind of like being a bodyguard or protector," Walter's son, Jarrett, said in "A Football Life," an NFL Network show. "He blocked for him. He took a lot of hits, making sure that my dad would get the glory, and Matt kind of just sat back in the background, very unselfish."

Suhey was Chicago's second-leading rusher when the Bears went 15-1 during the 1985 regular season, finishing with 471 yards on the ground. Payton rushed for 1,551 yards and nine touchdowns that year.

The 1985 Bears shut out the

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Bears' Super Bowl champion FB Suhey dies at 68

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