The Chicago Bears community is mourning Matt Suhey, and now there’s a clearer picture of how the former fullback died.
Lake County officials said Suhey was found unresponsive Sunday afternoon at his home in Deerfield, Illinois. An initial investigation followed, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office later said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Two days after his death, Lake County issued an update that pointed to an official cause. Chief deputy coroner Steve Newton said the preliminary review showed a significant medical history that had already been under treatment by a primary-care doctor.
The death certificate is expected to list natural causes.
Newton said the investigation remained limited because a treating physician will complete the certificate. Officials also said the death was not being treated as suspicious. That confirmed what former teammates and close friends had already been saying: the news came out of nowhere.
Suhey’s death hit especially hard because he had recently appeared to be in excellent health. Former safety Gary Fencik had planned to have breakfast with him this week, but that meeting 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.
A Chicago draft pick in 1980 after a standout Penn State career, Suhey spent 10 seasons in the NFL and became a trusted piece of the Bears’ offense. He served as Walter Payton’s primary blocking back, while also contributing as a runner and receiver. His biggest individual moment came in Super Bowl XX, when he scored the opening touchdown for Chicago in the win over the New England Patriots.
Suhey retired in 1989 with 2,946 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns.
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