Chicago Bears Legend Steve McMichael Dies at 67 After Courageous ALS Battle
Steve McMichael, a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears’ iconic 1985 Super Bowl-winning team and a beloved figure in the Windy City, passed away at 67 after a valiant fight against ALS. His publicist, Betsy Shepherd, confirmed he died Wednesday afternoon. Known for his ferocious play as a defensive tackle and his larger-than-life personality, McMichael left an indelible mark on football, professional wrestling, and Chicago’s sports culture.
A two-time All-Pro in 1985 and 1987, McMichael was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He holds the Bears’ record for 191 consecutive games played from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second in franchise history with 92½ career sacks, trailing only Richard Dent. After 13 seasons with Chicago, he played his final NFL year with the Green Bay Packers in 1994. Nicknamed “Mongo” and “Ming The Merciless,” inspired by the “Blazing Saddles” character, McMichael remained a Chicago staple, hosting sports talk radio shows and captivating fans with his unfiltered charisma.
McMichael’s vibrant personality led him to professional wrestling in the late 1990s, where he thrived during World Championship Wrestling’s “Monday Night Wars” era. Starting as a color commentator, he later joined Ric Flair’s “Four Horsemen” group, showcasing his flair for entertainment. “The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael!” Flair posted on X. “An Amazing Athlete And Human Being!”
In April 2021, McMichael announced his ALS diagnosis, a neurodegenerative disease that progressively impairs muscle control. He first noticed tingling in his arms, which he attributed to his football and wrestling days, but a 2020 visit to the Mayo Clinic and subsequent confirmations in 2021 revealed the truth. “This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end,” he told the Chicago Tribune. As his condition worsened, McMichael became bedridden, a stark contrast to the 270-pound powerhouse who once dominated opponents with his “Mongo spike” in the ring.
Despite his declining health, McMichael’s spirit endured. “He’s the most badass man I’ve ever known,” his wife, Misty, told The Associated Press before his Hall of Fame induction on August 3, 2024. “I’ve told him to please hang on ’til the (induction).” Born in Houston, McMichael grew up in Freer, Texas, excelling in multiple sports before starring at the University of Texas, where he earned All-American honors and a 2010 College Football Hall of Fame induction. Drafted by the New England Patriots in 1980, he was released after one season but found a home with the Bears, where his tenacity aligned with coach George Halas’ gritty vision.
McMichael’s 1985 Bears, featuring Hall of Famers like Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, are celebrated as one of football’s greatest defenses. “No one battled longer or harder from the snap until the whistle,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter. After retiring, McMichael coached the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team and hosted Bears pregame shows. He is survived by his wife, Misty, and their daughter, Macy.
