Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael, who died last year after a nearly 5-year battle with ALS, also had CTE, according to his widow and the Concussion and CTE Foundation.
The announcement was made by the Boston-based foundation, which said the diagnosis of “severe CTE” was made by researchers at Boston University.
CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, is a progressive, degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head impacts.
It is only definitively diagnosed after death.
Steve McMichael’s widow, Misty, released a statement saying, “by sharing Steve’s diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS.”
She added, “I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research.”
Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, said, “there is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS.”
Steve McMichael revealed he was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2021.
He died in April of 2025 at the age of 67.
McMichael played 13 seasons with the Bears, from 1981 to 1993.
He had followed the CTE-ALS research, according to the foundation, and he wanted his brain studied.
“Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so we might have a chance to save ourselves,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation.
