Does Matt Suhey have kids? Family and more explored after Chicago Bears NFL star dies at 68

The Chicago Bears fullback Matthew Jerome Suhey, also known as Matt Suhey, passed away at 68 on August 6, 2026. The Chicago Bears confirmed the Pennsylvania-based NFL star's death on Sunday morning, according to ABC7Chicago. While the cause of his unfortunate passing has not yet been revealed, people close to him reportedly shared that he was not suffering from any health issues.

As the sports world and football enthusiasts mourn his loss, Matt Suhey was survived by his wife, Donna Suhey, with whom he shared two sons, Joe and Scott, and a daughter, Allison. While Matt, who played ten seasons for the Bears, was a close friend of running back Walter Payton, he was also responsible for helping out his friend and his team win the NFL Championship in 1985.

As per ABC7Chicago, Matt Suhey became a part of the Bears in 1980, and following that, he turned out to be one of the most effective and celebrated players on the team. According to USA Today, after playing 148 games as a fullback and blocker, Matt Suhey finally retired in 1989 with a successful NFL career.

Following his recent death, sports journalist Fred Mitchell stated that Matt Suhey's legacy as a celebrated NFL player was not only restricted to the game or on the field, but it was beyond that. As per ABC7Chicago, Mitchell said:

"His legacy will include, obviously, the fact that he was best friends with Walter Payton and that he was, sort of an understated personality on a Super Bowl Bears team that was full of great vicarious, personalities from Jim McMahon, Steve McMichael, and, on and on."

Walter Payton's son pays tribute to Matt Suhey following his death

Walter Payton's son, Jarrett, who considered Matt Suhey a father figure following his own father's demise in 1999, paid tribute to his Godfather, Matt, as he took to his Instagram and shared a post with a long caption about what he meant to him and how important Matt was to him and his family. Jarrett Payton, in his Instagram post, wrote:

"He was my dad’s closest friend. After we lost my dad in 1999, Matt became the biggest father figure I had. 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."

While mentioning Matt and his father Walter's friendship, Jarrett wrote:

"Their friendship showed me what real friendship looks like. Not the easy kind. The kind that lasts when the lights go off, when the stadium is empty, when life gets heavy."

Jarrett concluded by writing:

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"Our family is so thankful for the love he showed us over the years. The Payton family will continue to lift Donna, Joey, Allison, and Scotty up in prayer during this difficult time.Rest easy, Uncle Matt. We love you. We always will."

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