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Suhey and Payton were close friends. Payton served as the
godfather for Suhey's youngest son, Scott.
"After we lost my dad in 1999, Matt became the biggest father
figure I had," Walter’s son, Jarrett, posted on social media on
Monday. "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.
“That is who he was.”
Suhey was Chicago's second-leading rusher when the Bears went
15-1 during the 1985 regular season, finishing with 471 yards on
the ground. Payton rushed for 1,551 yards and nine touchdowns
that year.
The 1985 Bears shut out the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams
in the playoffs before routing New England 46-10 in the Super
Bowl. Suhey scored the first TD against the Patriots on an
11-yard run in the first quarter. He finished with 52 yards on
11 carries, and he also had a 24-yard reception.
The durable Suhey played in 148 regular-season games during his
10 years with the Bears, starting 100. He had 828 carries for
2,946 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 260 receptions for
2,113 yards and five TDs.
Suhey, a Pennsylvania native, played his college ball for Penn
State, following in the footsteps of his father, Steve, a guard
who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Matt Suhey rushed for 2,818 yards and 26 touchdowns on 633
carries for the Nittany Lions. He also caught 39 passes for 328
yards and two TDs.
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