Windy City Gridiron
Legendary Chicago Bears Steve McMichael, who entered hospice care this morning, has passed away after a long battle with ALS. He was 67 years old.
Mongo was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2021, and he fought long enough to experience being honored as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2024. Mongo was previously nominated in 2014 and 2015, but as pundits began to understand the impact of a disruptive defensive tackle, his case for the Hall grew stronger.
McMichael played in the NFL from 1980 through 1994, beginning his career with the New England Patriots after being drafted in the third round, but he was released after his rookie season.
For the next 13 years, he gave his all to the Bears, helping them win Super Bowl XX, while being named to five All-Pro teams and amassing 95 sacks in his career.
He capped his legendary career with the Green Bay Packers, but he was a shell of his former self.
“For 13 years, I helped the Bears beat the Packers every year. I whupped their ass, right?” Mongo told the Chicago Tribune in 2021. “So the last year, I went up there on my last leg and I wasn’t any good anymore. So I stole their money and whipped their ass again!”
His personality was as big as his Hall of Fame talent was on the field, which played well as a professional wrestler with World Championship Wrestling, where he won the U.S. Championship as a member of the famed Four Horsemen. He was also a media personality in Chicago and the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter.
