Former Penn State Fullback Matt Suhey Passes Away at 68 Years Old

Tagged under: News, Penn State

Jacob Steinberg | September 7, 2026

Former Penn State and State College Area High School fullback Matt Suhey, 68, passed away in his sleep on Monday, September 6.

Suhey ran for 2,818 in his tenure with the Nittany Lions, and added 328 yards through the air through his four years from 1976-1979.

Suhey ranks 13th all time in rushing yards at Penn State, and 14th in all purpose yards. Suhey also places 13th in the franchise with 26 rushing touchdowns.

Suhey’s production increased in each of his four seasons under legendary head coach Joe Paterno. In his senior year, he ran for 973 yards and had 6 touchdowns on the ground and caught one passing touchdown.

At the high school level, Suhey was named the named to the All-State First Team Offense from 1973-1975.

Matt Suhey was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round (pick 46) of the 1980 NFL draft. He spent his entire 10-year career with the Bears and collected a ring in 1985. Suhey started 100 games, appeared in 148, and ran for 2,946 yards, which is 12th all time in Chicago Bears history. He had 25 total touchdowns, including the opening one in the Bears Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots in 1985, 46-10.

Suhey was not only a top backfield option at the college level, but a notable player to the Bears successes in the 1980s.