Story perspectives

Matt Suhey, Bears Super Bowl XX hero, dies at 68

9/8/2026

Summary

Matt Suhey Dies

Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey died at age 68.
He scored the opening 11-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XX, helping Chicago win 46-10.
Suhey played ten seasons (1980-89) for the Bears, recording 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
He died in his sleep on September 6, 2026.
Suhey was the son of Hall of Famer Steve Suhey and grandson of Bob Higgins.

Summary

Suhey’s Trading Fortune

Suhey built a $6 million net worth trading soybean-meal futures on the Chicago Board of Trade after retiring.
He also owned a bottled-water company and held real-estate and consulting ventures.
Suhey served as executor of Walter Payton’s estate and helped launch the Walter Payton Liver Center.
He presented Hall of Famer Jimbo Covert at the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

History

Historical Context

Super Bowl XX, played on January 26 1986, delivered a 46-10 Chicago Bears victory, cementing the franchise’s dominance in the 1980s era. Fullback Matt Suhey contributed the opening 11-yard touchdown and finished his ten-year career with 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Like many 1980s Bears, Suhey leveraged his fame into a $6 million commodities portfolio on the Chicago Board of Trade, mirroring teammate Walter Payton’s philanthropic ventures. These post-career enterprises illustrate how NFL alumni have shaped Chicago’s business landscape and funded health initiatives such as the Walter Payton Liver Center.

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Matt Suhey Dies

Former Chicago Bears fullback Matt Suhey died at age 68.
He scored the opening 11-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XX, helping Chicago win 46-10.
Suhey played ten seasons (1980-89) for the Bears, recording 2,946 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns.
He died in his sleep on September 6, 2026.
Suhey was the son of Hall of Famer Steve Suhey and grandson of Bob Higgins.

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