Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a star defensive deal with on the Bears’ 1985 Tremendous Bowl championship crew who remained a fixture within the Windy Metropolis for many years, died on Wednesday after being recognized with ALS. He was 67.
An All-Professional in 1985 and 1987, McMichael was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2024. He performed in a franchise-record 191 consecutive video games from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second to Richard Dent on the Bears’ profession sacks checklist with 92.5. His closing NFL season was with Inexperienced Bay in 1994.
McMichael’s brash character and willingness to say no matter was on his thoughts made him an ideal match for professional wrestling. He started working for World Championship Wrestling within the Nineties on the top of the “Monday Evening Wars” with the World Wrestling Federation, beginning as a coloration commentator and later becoming a member of Ric Aptitude within the “4 Horsemen” group.
McMichael revealed in April 2021 that he had been recognized with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s illness or motor neurone illness, which impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire, inflicting lack of muscle management.
“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to finish,” McMichael informed the Chicago Tribune.
McMichael had been experiencing tingling in his arms for a while that he thought was a neck or backbone subject stemming from his taking part in days or his work as a wrestler.
“He’s scared to die and he shouldn’t be as a result of he’s probably the most badass man I’ve ever identified inside and outside,” his spouse, Misty McMichael, mentioned his Corridor of Fame induction in 2024. “He’s man. He’s gonna be in heaven earlier than any of us, so I don’t know what he’s afraid of. However I’ve informed him to please hold on ’til the [induction] after which, you realize, I don’t wish to see him undergo anymore. He’s been struggling.”
McMichael was born in Houston and went on to a profitable faculty profession at Texas. The New England Patriots drafted McMichael within the third spherical in 1980. He didn’t final lengthy, showing in six video games as a rookie earlier than getting launched previous to his second season. McMichael would play exhausting on and off the sector, getting in fights in follow and taking in Boston’s nightlife afterward.
“They checked out me and mentioned, ‘Steve, we predict you’re the legal factor within the league. Get out,’” McMichael mentioned in 2019.
The identical traits that apparently led to a ticket out of New England had been welcomed in Chicago. McMichael recalled strolling into founder George Halas’ workplace – “It was like I used to be strolling right into a 1920 gangster film and he was James Cagney” – when he signed with Chicago.
“Papa Bear” made it clear. “You realize what he mentioned to me, guys?” McMichael mentioned. “I’ve heard what sort of soiled rat you’re in follow. Don’t change, Steve.”
His nasty demeanor and outsized character made McMichael some of the feared gamers on arguably the best protection ever assembled. However longtime buddy Dave Siden remembered him as grasp storyteller and a beneficiant man who would signal over his preseason paychecks to the crew trainers as a token of appreciation and purchase baskets of toys for kids. Via McMichael, Siden met golfer Ben Crenshaw and went backstage at wrestling occasions.
“I knew him as one of many nicest, most giving buddies you can have,” Siden mentioned.
McMichael performed alongside Corridor of Famers Dent, Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, and the 1985 Bears, led by their dominant protection, made their technique to the franchise’s lone Tremendous Bowl championship. McMichael was an All-Professional that season with eight sacks.
He performed 15 years within the NFL – 13 with Chicago earlier than his closing season with the rival Packers.
“Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael was a Bears legend, and his brave battle towards ALS impressed us all,” the Bears posted on X. “Our hearts exit to his household, buddies and teammates.”
Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter mentioned in an announcement: “Steve McMichael informed everybody he would battle ALS with the identical tenacity he confirmed for 15 seasons within the Nationwide Soccer League. And he did simply that. Everybody who performed with or towards Steve shares the identical opinion: Nobody battled longer or more durable from the snap till the whistle than Steve the participant.”
He and his first spouse, Debra, divorced in 1998. He married the previous Misty Davenport in 2001, and their daughter, Macy, was born in 2008.
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