The Chicago Bears have more former players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame than any other NFL franchise. Their latest inductee, defensive tackle Steve McMichael, was finally inducted in 2024. Unfortunately, he was not able to attend his ceremony in Canton due to his ongoing battle with ALS.
Even more unfortunate, the disease has claimed his life. The legendary Bears defensive weapon passed away on Wednesday shortly after being transferred to hospice care.
He was 67 years old.
Steve McMichael Spent the Majority of His Hall of Fame Career with the Chicago Bears
McMichael was drafted out of Texas into the NFL by the New England Patriots in the 1980 NFL Draft. However, he appeared in just six games for them as a rookie and was released.
In 1981, he signed as a free agent with the Bears, which marked the true beginning of a legendary career. During his 13 seasons in Chicago, “Mongo” McMichael was named to the Pro Bowl twice, First Team All-Pro twice, and Second Team All-Pro twice.
The crowning achievement of his career, of course, was helping the Bears win Super Bowl XX in 1985. What made the victory especially sweet for him, of course, was that it came over the Patriots, the team that had drafted and then released him just five years earlier.
McMichael spent the last season of his career (1994) with the Green Bay Packers, helping them to establish a gritty hard-nosed defense that would, after his retirement, help that franchise win its first Super Bowl in 29 years.
The Bears legend ended his career with 95.0 sacks and 847 tackles. Following his retirement, he became a professional wrestler in the WWF.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, leading many fans to call of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame before it was too late. Fortunately, the committee got it right and he was able to receive the news.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, the voters were too late in the sense that he was not able to attend his own induction.
McMichael is survived by his wife, Misty, and their daughter Macy Dale.
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