The NFL is mourning an all-time great, as Chicago Bears' Steve McMichael passed away on Wednesday.
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Former teammate Walter Payton announced the news on social media, "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 [in] your prayers."
After playing his college ball at the University of Texas, McMichael's NFL career began in 1980, when he was selected in the third round by the New England Patriots.
Yet, after being dropped following his rookie season, the Chicago Bears added the 6-foot-2, 270-pound defensive tackle, who went on to become a cornerstone of the legendary 80's Bears defense.
Notably, during Super Bowl XX (01/26/1986) vs. his former team, McMichael and his hall of fame counterparts, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton and William "Refrigerator" Perry, helped lead the 85' Bears to a blowout 46-10 victory over the Patriots.
During his 15-year career, McMichael appeared in 213 games and accumulated 847 tackles and 95 sacks (ranks 4th-all time in NFL history among DT's).
Steve McMichael passed away today. He was 67 years old:
Won Super Bowl XX with Chicago Bears
2X AP All-Pro 1st Team
2X AP All-Pro 2nd Team
2X Pro Bowl
847 Tackles
95.0 Sacks
Inducted into the Football HOF in 2024RIP pic.twitter.com/FE9SyBixfI
— Jim Miloch (@podoffame) April 23, 2025
Ultimately, McMichael has had to fight just as hard off the field, as he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2021. He earned the first ever ALS Courage Award that same year and then in 2024, he was welcomed into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McMichael is survived by his wife Misty, and daughter, Macy, and will be remembered by former teammates, fans, and anyone who ever was lucky enough to witness "Mongo" dominate on the gridiron.
HOF President, Jim Porter, highlighted McMichael's larger than life persona in a statement.
"Steve McMichael told everyone he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed for 15 seasons in the National Football League. And he did just that, Everyone who played with or against Steve shares the same opinion: No one battled longer or harder from the snap until the whistle than Steve the player. That legendary will to fight allowed him to experience his enshrinement as a member of the Hall's Class of 2024. And the love his teammates showed him throughout this difficult journey says everything about Steve the man."
Bears chairman George H. McCaskey also paid tribute.
"It's a cruel irony that the Bears' Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease. Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve's family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear."
The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve “Mongo” McMichael! He Was My Best Friend Through It All! An Amazing Athlete And Human Being! I Have The Fondest Memories Working With Him, And This Is An Extremely Heartbreaking Loss For Me! I Love You Mongo! You Fought One Hell Of A… pic.twitter.com/yq2YHfWKmf
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) April 23, 2025
RIP
