(670 The Score) Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and prominent presence on the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, died Wednesday after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a family spokesperson confirmed. He was 67.
McMichael revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2021. By then, the disease was already progressing fast. McMichael had a 15-year NFL career, including playing for the Bears from 1981-’93. He was one of the team’s most colorful characters and beloved by teammates and fans.
The esteemed career of McMichael was honored early last August when he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class via the senior ballot.
"It's a cruel irony that the Bears' Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease," said Bears chairman George McCaskey. "Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve's family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear."
Born in Houston on Oct. 17, 1957, McMichael was one of four siblings. He was a six-sport standout at Freer High School in Texas who went on to become an All-American defensive lineman at the University of Texas in Austin. McMichael was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
The Patriots selected McMichael in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played just six games for New England before being cut prior to his second year in the league. The Bears signed McMichael in 1981, beginning his iconic 13-year run in Chicago.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound McMichael became an imposing player on the Bears’ line during the rise of Chicago’s defense as one of the greatest in NFL history. He recorded 92.5 of his 95 career sacks over 191 career games with the Bears.
McMichael earned first-team All-Pro honors twice, including in 1985, when he played a key role on a Bears team that won the Super Bowl and is considered to be one of the greatest NFL teams of all time. McMichael finished his career in 1994 with the Packers, later joking that he “stole their money and whipped their ass again.”
“Thank God New England got rid of me,” McMichael told the Chicago Tribune in 1984. “Some teams, they want you to have a certain image. Other teams, like this one, they just want you to get down and dirty ... I’m really proud to be a Bear.
“The Patriots, yeah, they thought I was a little weird. And I guess I am. But here they don’t care, long as you play hard ... The town, the coach, the team — it’s Steve McMichael. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
McMichael went into professional wrestling following his retirement from the NFL after the 1994 season. He joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1995, first as a commentator before later entering the ring. He made his final appearance in February 1999.
McMichael ran for mayor of south suburban Romeoville in 2013, losing to the incumbent candidate. In retirement, he also did on-air work with ESPN 1000 and performed in a band alongside former teammates Dan Hampton and Otis Wilson. They were called the Chicago 6 Band.
After revealing he had ALS in 2021, McMichael said he’d no longer be making public appearances. Fundraising efforts were formed to raise money for McMichael’s family.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of anything or anybody on our football team than the way Steve has used his courage,” Hampton told 670 The Score following McMichael sharing his story.
McMichael is survived by his wife of 23 years, Misty, and their daughter, Macy Dale.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.