Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Bears and NFL legend, dies at 67

Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Chicago Bears Legend, Passes Away

The NFL announced on Wednesday the passing of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a prominent member of the historic “46” defense of the Chicago Bears of the 1980s. McMichael, who was second in the franchise with 92.5 sacks, died at the age of 67. McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021. Although he played one season with the New England Patriots and another with the Green Bay Packers, he left his mark during his 13 seasons with the Bears, including a record of 191 consecutive games played. In total, McMichael participated in 207 games between 1981 and 1994.

Rest in peace, Mongo. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/15B71P21uM

— NFL (@NFL) May 22, 2024

The defensive tackle was a Super Bowl champion (1985) and was twice selected for the All-Pro first team and for the Pro Bowl. He had at least seven sacks in seven consecutive seasons (1983 to 1989), surpassed only by Richard Dent’s 10-year streak among Bears players.

It’s a cruel irony that the Bears’ “Ironman” succumbed to this terrible disease. However, Steve showed us throughout his fight that his true strength was internal, and he demonstrated daily his class, his dignity, and his humanity. Now he is at peace. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve’s family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear.

George H. McCaskey, Bears Chairman

On August 3, 2024, McMichael was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at his home in Homer Glen, Illinois, where his bust was unveiled surrounded by his wife, daughter, and members of the famous 1985 Bears defense. His sister, Kathy, was in charge of reading McMichael’s induction speech in a pre-recorded video. Among those present to celebrate the tribute to McMichael were his former teammates Richard Dent, Ron Rivera, Mike Singletary, Jimbo Covert, Gary Fencik, Jim Osborne and Marcus Keyes.

Steve, we are here with all your champion world brothers. In Canton, we have 378 brothers looking for you. You are on a team that you can never be cut from, that you can never be released from. When you die on this team, you will remain on it.

Richard Dent

A legend. 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/u1K9b4i743

— NFL (@NFL) May 22, 2024

A live video was broadcast from McMichael’s bed to the crowd in Canton, while Chris Berman, Hall of Fame emcee, relayed the message he received from the defensive tackle about his career impact.

I don’t want ALS to be my legacy. What I did on the field, that is my legacy. Pushing myself to the limit… beyond what anyone else could.

Message from Steve McMichael

McMichael, selected by the Hall of Fame veterans committee, had been previously nominated for the Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2015, and he passed the first cut of candidates on two occasions before not being selected. His wife, Misty, actively fought for her husband’s inclusion in the Hall of Fame, while ALS prevented him from moving or speaking. McMichael had signed a “do not resuscitate” form in 2023 before his condition worsened. Upon learning that he was one of the semifinalists last August, McMichael informed his wife that he wanted to break the document while awaiting news about his selection.

We will never know a stronger fighter. He was also the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. I am proud of everything we achieved together, especially the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It was the last thing he could say to me before he lost the ability to speak. I asked him what else I could do for him and he whispered: ‘Hall of Fame’. Thanks to the fans, we made it. He loved you without limits.

Betsy Shepherd, McMichael’s publicist

McMichael had eight sacks during the 1985 regular season and added another in the Super Bowl XX victory over the Patriots. He was selected to the first All-Pro team by starting every game that season. He controlled the interior of the line for a defense that ranked first in the league for the fewest points allowed, the fewest yards allowed, and recoveries, in addition to conceding only 10 points in three playoff victories, and is considered by many to be the best of all time after leading Chicago to an 18-1 record. McMichael, who finished with 95 sacks in his career, also accumulated 847 tackles, 13 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, and 3 safeties in 213 games played. His 92.5 sacks with the Bears are only surpassed by Dent in team history.

Although often overshadowed by Hall of Famers Singletary and Dent, McMichael was fundamental to the Bears’ success. Coach Mike Ditka said McMichael was the toughest player he had ever coached.

McMichael finished his career with the Packers in 1994, but he liked to say in his retirement that the only reason he signed with the Bears’ archrival was to “steal their money and beat them again.” McMichael was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft, but he didn’t last long in New England, participating in six games as a rookie before being released before his second season. He excelled in college at Texas, where he was unanimously selected for the first All-America team and left the Longhorns as the historical leader in tackles (369) and sacks (30). He received recruitment letters for American football from about 75 colleges. Bear Bryant wanted to use him as a tight end at Alabama, and Darrell Royal recruited him for Texas as a defensive end. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Rest in peace, Mongo. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/15B71P21uM

— NFL (@NFL) May 22, 2024

After his career in American football, “Mongo” had a resurgence as a professional wrestler with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he won the United States Heavyweight Championship as a member of the famous “Four Horsemen” group led by Ric Flair. In April 1995, he was in Lawrence Taylor’s corner at WrestleMania. Later that year, he started with WCW as a commentator. He began his in-ring career in 1996, facing Flair for then-wife Debra McMichael, who was a wrestling valet. He remained with the company until 1999. Whether terrorizing opponents or arguing about the Bears on sports radio, the man known as “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo”, after the “Blazing Saddles” character who knocked out a horse, remained a prominent presence in Chicago long after his playing days. Born in Houston, McMichael’s parents divorced when he was about 2 years old. His mother, Betty, married an oil company executive named E.V. McMichael, and young McMichael considered him his father and adopted his last name. The family moved to Freer, Texas, and McMichael participated in American football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, and golf as a senior. As a receiver in high school, he preferred baseball. The Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals showed interest, but his parents wanted him to go to college. McMichael and Debra divorced in 1998. He married Misty Davenport in 2001, and their daughter, Macy, was born in 2008.

Steve McMichael told everyone he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed during 15 seasons in the National Football League. And he did.

Jim Porter, President and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Everyone who played with or against Steve shares the same opinion: nobody fought longer or harder from the start to the whistle than Steve the player… And the love shown to him by his teammates throughout this difficult journey says it all about Steve the man.