Chicago Bears great and legendary sports personality Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael has passed away at the age of 67 on April 23, 2025, following a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. McMichael's death marks the end of a remarkable life that spanned decades of athletic achievement and public service, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of sports.
McMichael was moved to hospice care earlier on the same day, after being taken off a ventilator in the ICU. His passing was confirmed by WGN’s Jarrett Payton, who shared 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,” Payton wrote.
Born on October 17, 1957, in Houston, Texas, McMichael grew up in a family of four siblings, raised by his mother, Betty Ruth, and step-father, E.V. McMichael. He excelled in multiple sports during his high school years in Freer, Texas, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, and golf. Although he garnered attention in baseball, batting .450 in his senior year and attracting interest from Major League Baseball teams, he ultimately chose to pursue football, accepting a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin.
McMichael played defensive tackle for the Longhorns from 1976 to 1979, where he earned consensus All-American honors and was named the defensive MVP of the 1979 Hula Bowl. His college success led him to be drafted in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. However, his time with the Patriots was brief, as he played only six games before being released and subsequently signing with the Chicago Bears in 1981.
Over the next 13 seasons, McMichael established himself as a cornerstone of one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. He set a franchise record with 191 consecutive starts, a streak that lasted from week 7 of 1981 until week 18 of 1993. During his time with the Bears, McMichael achieved a remarkable 92.5 sacks, ranking second in team history behind fellow Hall of Famer Richard Dent. His contributions were pivotal in leading the Bears to their only Super Bowl title in 1985, where he recorded a sack against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX.
“For 13 years, I helped the Bears beat the Packers every year,” McMichael once remarked with his characteristic bravado. “I whipped their as, right? 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 as again!”
After leaving the Bears in 1994, McMichael signed a one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers, where he finished his NFL career. He later transitioned to professional wrestling, making appearances in the WWF and WCW, where he became a member of the famed Four Horsemen and even held the WCW United States Championship. His wrestling career spanned five years, during which he also provided commentary and made appearances in the ring.
Beyond sports, McMichael was known for his vibrant personality and his ability to connect with fans. He hosted a Chicago Bears pre-game show on ESPN 1000 and served as the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter, an indoor football team, from 2007 until the league's closure in 2013. He was also famously ejected from a Chicago Cubs game in 2001 after calling out umpire Angel Hernandez during the seventh-inning stretch.
In January 2021, McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Despite the challenges posed by the disease, McMichael remained a fighter, demonstrating the same tenacity he had on the football field. His wife, Misty, played a crucial role in supporting him during his battle, often stating that his desire to see himself inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame kept him going.
On August 3, 2024, McMichael was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a moment he had long awaited. The ceremony took place at his home in Homer Glen, Illinois, where he was surrounded by family and friends. His sister, Kathy, delivered his enshrinement speech via a pre-recorded video, while former teammates from the legendary 1985 Bears defense gathered to honor him. “Steve, we’re here with all your world champion brothers,” Dent said during the ceremony. “Back in Canton, we have 378 brothers that are looking for you.”
McMichael’s legacy extends beyond his impressive statistics and accolades. He is remembered as a beloved figure in Chicago sports, known for his larger-than-life personality and his unwavering spirit. Bears chairman George H. McCaskey expressed the sentiment shared by many, stating, “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.”
As tributes pour in from fans, friends, and former teammates, it is clear that McMichael's impact on the game and the community will not be forgotten. His journey through life, marked by triumphs and challenges, serves as an inspiration to many. “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,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter. “What I did on the field, that’s my legacy.”
