Photo by CSOM Sports
Over the past four years, Steve McMichael has been battling against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and finally lost that battle with family and friends surrounding him on Wednesday. McMichael was moved into hospice care just hours before his passing at the age of 67.
McMichael had a humble beginning to his NFL career, as he came out of the University of Texas undrafted, and then failed to make the New England Patriots roster in 1981. The Bears would claim him and he worked his way into being the heart and soul of Chicago's legendary defense. He teamed with fellow defensive line members Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and William "The Refrigerator" Perry to terrorize opposing offenses for nearly a decade.
After being diagnosed with ALS, the push began to get McMichael into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ultimately, McMichael had to wait an extra 24 years for this honor, while joyous, left a bitter taste among the fanbase as he was unable to physically participate in any of the Hall of Fame festivities. McMichael's death comes only nine months after he was inshrined into the Hall of Fame.
The Bears honored Steve McMichael's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction at halftime of Week 1's game against the Titans with a statement from former teammate Tom Thayer during the 2024 season.
In the process, McMichael set the Bears record for consecutive games played at 191. He made 847 tackles and 95 sacks, although those numbers are somewhat inaccurate since the NFL didn’t track tackles as a stat until well after he was playing in the league. McMichael’s 92 1/2 sacks as a Bear are second behind only Dent (124 1/2 sacks).
After his playing days came to an end, McMichael spent five years in professional wrestling in the late 1990s, where he worked for World Championship Wrestling at the apex of the “Monday Night Wars” against the World Wrestling Federation.
McMichael’s battle with ALS lasted for years, and his physical presence is now gone, but following a life filled with successes on and off the field, McMichael’s name will forever be linked with the Chicago Bears.