The Chicago Bears community is mourning Matt Suhey, and the official word on his death has now come into focus. The former fullback was found unresponsive on Sunday afternoon at his home in Deerfield, Illinois, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office has said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Lake County officials gave a further update two days later, with chief deputy coroner Steve Newton saying the preliminary review pointed to a significant medical history that was already being treated by a primary-care doctor. The death certificate is expected to list natural causes. Newton also said the investigation remained limited because a treating physician will complete the certificate.
That explanation matches the reaction from people who knew Suhey best: sudden disbelief. Former teammates and close friends said the news came as a massive shock, especially because Suhey had recently appeared to be in excellent health.
Former safety Gary Fencik’s planned breakfast with him this week never happened. Friends also said Suhey looked well at last year’s Super Bowl XX anniversary gathering, and Dan Hampton called the news a real jolt after seeing him there.
Suhey’s place in Bears history is secure. Drafted by Chicago in 1980 after a standout career at Penn State, he went on to spend 10 seasons in the NFL as the team’s trusted fullback. He was the primary blocking back for Walter Payton, while also contributing as a rushing and receiving threat of his own.
His most memorable moment came in Super Bowl XX, when he scored the opening touchdown for the Bears. Chicago rolled from there against the New England Patriots. Suhey retired in 1989 with 2,946 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns.
His death also lands in the shadow of another painful chapter for that championship group, with Hall of Famer Steve McMichael still in a long fight with ALS.
In Other News...
Former White Sox Arm Abruptly Walks Away At 28
Jacob Heatherlys brief run in the White Sox organization looked like a fresh start when he signed a minor league deal in January and opened the season with solid work in Double-A Birmingham. The left-hander had enough early success to put himself back on the radar, but the season turned once his command slipped and Chicago moved on, releasing him on July 23.
Heatherly then made the sudden decision to step away from the game entirely, announcing his retirement from professional baseball on Sept. 8 at just 28. His career spanned seven minor league seasons, leaving him with a 14-17 record, a 5.45 ERA and 285 strikeouts across 213 innings, a reminder of how quickly a pitchers path can shift from opportunity to closure. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Could Gamble On Risky Rotation Fix This Winter
The White Sox are still searching for ways to shore up the front of their rotation after adding Luis Castillo, and the offseason pitching market could push them toward a more aggressive swing. CBS Sports' Mike Axisa recently connected Chicago to free agent right-hander Freddy Peralta, a name that fits the kind of affordable upgrade the club may have to consider if it wants to keep improving without overcommitting long term.
Peralta is the sort of arm that can make a front office pause and then think again. His recent results have been uneven, but the track record is strong enough to keep him on the radar as a high-risk, high-reward target for a White Sox team still looking for reliable starting help. If Chicago decides to bet on upside this winter, this is the type of move that could define the rotation conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Colson Montgomery Has One Flaw The White Sox Can't Ignore
With less than three weeks left in the regular season, the White Sox have built a two-game lead over the Guardians in the AL Central and can see the division race tightening around them. One of the biggest reasons they have stayed in front is the emergence of Colson Montgomery, who has given Chicago real middle-infield power in his first full major league season while also forcing pitchers to respect the bat in a way few shortstops can.
Montgomery leads all shortstops with 31 home runs, but his swing-and-miss issues remain just as visible as the pop, with an AL-high 197 strikeouts and a .212/.292/.437 line. For a White Sox team trying to hold off Cleveland and make a postseason push, the question is no longer whether Montgomery can change games, but whether his plate discipline can improve enough to make that impact more sustainable when the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]