Steve McMichael, Chicago Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies after battle with ALS

Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a Chicago Bears legend who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year, died Wednesday after a battle with ALS and briefly entering hospice. He was 67 years old.

McMichael was a centerpiece of the vaunted 1985 Bears defense and ranks fourth on the NFL’s all-time sacks list by a defensive tackle. His nickname “Mongo” came from the character portrayed by the late Alex Karras in “Blazing Saddles” who knocked out a horse. It was appropriate, too, considering McMichael stood at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds.

McMichael’s health took a turn in January 2021, though. That’s when he learned he had ALS, and he stepped back from the public eye as he dealt with the disease and battled for more than three years. All the while, he was waiting for that call from Canton to enter the Hall of Fame alongside some of his former teammates.

With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers. 🙏🏽 #Bears

— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) April 23, 2025

That call came Feb. 8, 2024. McMichael remained at his home in Homer Glen, Ill., as Jarrett Payton – son of the legendary Walter Payton – presented him for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

McMichael is one of three former Bears inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2024, joining Devin Hester and Julius Peppers. In fact, McMichael’s wife Misty told ESPN he wanted to stay around just long enough to see himself get in. While he could not make it to the ceremony, the Hall of Fame sent his gold jacket to his suburban Chicago home.

A look at Steve McMichael’s Hall of Fame career

Before he became a Hall of Famer at the professional level, Steve McMichael was a star defensive lineman at Texas, putting together a storied career with the Longhorns from 1976-79 to become a College Football Hall of Famer. He was a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection and a Consensus All-American before the New England Patriots drafted him in 1980.

McMichael spent the majority of his career in Chicago, though, playing for the Bears from 1981-93. He earned two first team All-Pro and three second team All-Pro selections as he totaled 95 sacks over his career. But he made his mark alongside Mike Singletary, Otis Wilson and Richard Dent on arguably the greatest defense in NFL history.

During the 1985 season, McMichael finished third on the Bears with 8.0 sacks that season, trailing Dent’s 17.0 and Wilson’s 10.5, while also adding 44 total tackles. Chicago went 15-1 that season to win the only Super Bowl in franchise history.

Following his final season with the Green Bay Packers in 1994, McMichael retired from professional football and embarked on a wrestling career. He also hosted a Bears pregame show on ESPN 1000 alongside late beat writer Jeff Dickerson and served as the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team from 2007-13. Of course, he also delivered a memorable performance of the 7th Inning Stretch at a Chicago Cubs game in 2001 – famously calling out umpire Angel Hernandez, who ejected him as a result.