Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey dies at age 66
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 11:52 PM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Matt Suhey, who played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears, died on Sunday, Sept. 6, at age 66. The team confirmed the death of the longtime fullback. Suhey won a Super Bowl alongside teammate and running back Walter Payton during their tenure in Chicago. Following the death of Walter Payton in 1999, Suhey became a father figure to Walter's son, Jarrett Payton. Jarrett Payton expressed his gratitude in a public tribute, noting that Suhey provided stability and protection for the family for years. Suhey was also the godfather to Scotty, the son of the former Bears player.
- •Matt Suhey played 10 seasons with the Chicago Bears.
- •The Chicago Bears confirmed the death of Suhey on Sept. 6.
- •Suhey won a Super Bowl championship as a teammate of Walter Payton.
- •Jarrett Payton identified Suhey as a significant father figure following his own father's death.
- 11:52 PMYahoo Sports — 'Dad left him in charge.' Walter Payton's son, Jarrett, mourns Matt Suhey
"Matt Suhey was Bears teammate Walter Payton's best friend. "When everything felt uncertain, he was there," Jarrett Payton wrote.
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