On a Sunday nite, the news spread like a silent shock wave among former teammates. Hall of Fame defensive tackle Dan Hampton, who had spent ten years staring down offensive linemen, simply said, “I am shocked” when he received the call. That provides insight into the significance of Matt Suhey to those who knew him.
Several teammates claim that Suhey passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. He was sixty-eight. And almost instantly, one question dominated search traffic: what was the nature of Matt Suhey’s illness? It turns out that the solution is more nuanced and human than most people anticipate.
Suhey’s death has not been linked to any long-term illness that has been publicly confirmed. No extended hospital stay was reported, and no diagnosis was made public. No information about how it occurred came to light. For many years, the former athlete had a low-key personal life. Just last year, he was reportedly spotted making jokes with former teammates at the Super Bowl XX 40th anniversary reunion, displaying the same sense of humor that won him admiration in the Bears locker room. By all accounts, he appeared to be himself.
What is the origin of the illness narrative, then? Confusion and the lasting impact of one of the NFL’s most poignant tales contributed to this. Many people actually think of Walter Payton when they search for “Matt Suhey illness,” as well as the part Suhey played in his best friend’s darkest moment. Suhey stayed by Payton’s side after he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer and primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease. Payton only allowed Suhey to accompany him on about nine of his radiation and chemotherapy treatments, according to reports from the time. Career statistics don’t discuss that kind of loyalty, but it’s what made Suhey, in many respects, unique.
Suhey ran 11 yards to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl XX, and the Bears won 46-10 to win the only Lombardi Trophy in their history. Even though that run is well-known, it’s possible that it wasn’t the most significant thing he ever accomplished. Looking back, it seems that Suhey viewed loyalty as something you don’t give up on when things get difficult, much like some players do with blocking schemes.
Suhey played in 140 games between 1980 and 1989 and was well-known for his blocking abilities while supporting teammate Walter Payton. He stayed close to the Payton family long after he stopped playing football. It may not seem like much at first, but that sentence has more weight.
There is that well-known picture from a minicamp practice in the spring of 1985, in which Payton pulls Suhey’s shorts down from behind while they both smile carelessly. It’s the kind of picture that complicates grief. As Chicago moved on to new heroes, these men grew older apart from the spotlight, laughed together, and suffered together. After being selected in the second round of the 1980 NFL Draft, the 1985 Super Bowl champion had a ten-year career in the Windy City. Although he wasn’t the most well-known player on that team, he was dependable, which is more important in friendship and football than most people realize.
There may never be a definitive medical response to the question of Matt Suhey’s illness. He passed away suddenly, quietly, and without any warning signs visible to the public or his teammates. Whether any underlying condition was involved is still unknown. What is certain, though, is that Chicago lost one of the best people to ever wear that uniform—quietly and without fanfare.
