Chicago Bears legend and Super Bowl champion Matt Suhey has died at the age of 68, leaving former teammates and longtime fans stunned.
Suhey died over Labor Day weekend, according to NBC Chicago. Details surrounding his death were not immediately released.
The former fullback spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Bears and became a beloved part of one of the most famous teams in football history.
His biggest moment came during Super Bowl XX in 1986, when Suhey powered through the New England Patriots defense for an 11-yard touchdown run as Chicago demolished New England 46-10.
Suhey was selected by the Bears in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft after starring at Penn State.
He would go on to appear in 148 regular-season games during his decade in Chicago — remarkably never missing a single game before retiring after the 1989 season.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle and former teammate Dan Hampton told the Daily Herald he was “shocked” by Suhey’s death.
Former Bears safety Gary Fencik also remembered Suhey as a steady and trusted presence inside the locker room.
“I kind of remember Matt as a level-headed guy,” Fencik said. “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.”
For generations of Bears fans, Suhey will also be remembered for his close relationship with legendary running back Walter Payton.
Suhey served as one of Payton’s most important lead blockers and was also one of his closest friends.
Even after retiring from the NFL, Suhey remained closely connected to the Bears organization and continued to hold a special place among fans of the franchise’s legendary 1985 championship team.
His death marks another painful loss for one of the most celebrated squads in NFL history.
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