Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Bears Legend, Passes Away
The world of American football mourns the loss of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a prominent member of the historic “46” defense of the Chicago Bears of the 1980s. McMichael, who passed away at the age of 67, left an indelible legacy in the NFL, as announced by the league on Wednesday.
A McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021. His impact on the field and his fight against the disease inspired many.
Although he played one season with the New England Patriots and another with the Green Bay Packers, it was with the Bears where he left his mark, playing 13 seasons and setting records. He participated in a total of 207 games between 1981 and 1994.
We are heartbroken to share the news of the passing of Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael. pic.twitter.com/WwIqVzQj7s
McMichael, defensive tackle, was a Super Bowl champion (1985) and twice selected to the All-Pro first team and the Pro Bowl. He had at least seven sacks in seven consecutive seasons (1983 to 1989).
“It’s a cruel irony that the Bears’ ‘Ironman’ succumbed to this dreaded disease. However, Steve showed us throughout his fight that his true strength was internal, and he demonstrated his class, dignity, and humanity daily. 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, a recognition of his outstanding career. The ceremony took place at his home in Homer Glen, Illinois, where his bust was unveiled.
In the induction ceremony, former teammates Richard Dent, Ron Rivera, Mike Singletary, Jimbo Covert, Gary Fencik, Jim Osborne, and Marcus Keyes were present.
“Steve, we are here with all your world champion 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.”
During the ceremony, a live video was broadcast from McMichael’s room in Canton, while Chris Berman, Hall of Fame emcee, conveyed the defensive tackle’s message about his impact on his career.
“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.”
Steve McMichael
McMichael, who was selected by the Hall of Fame’s senior committee, had been nominated previously in 2014 and 2015. His wife, Misty, actively fought for his inclusion, accompanying him in his final years, when 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 senior semifinalists last August, McMichael informed his wife that he wanted to break the DNR while awaiting news about his selection.
“There will never be a stronger fighter we know. He was also the sweetest man I have ever known. I am proud of everything we accomplished 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 did it. He loved you endlessly.”
Betsy Shepherd, McMichael’s publicistEl miembro del Salón de la Fama, Steve McMichael, ocupa el segundo lugar en la historia de los Chicago Bears con 92.5 capturas, acumulando al menos siete capturas en siete temporadas consecutivas, y jugó en un récord del equipo de 191 partidos consecutivos. Ganó un Super Bowl con los ’85 Bears.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesIn the 1985 regular season, McMichael recorded eight sacks and added another in the Super Bowl XX victory against the Patriots. He was selected to the All-Pro first team and started in every game that season. He controlled the interior of the line for a defense that led the league in fewest points allowed, fewest yards allowed, and turnovers. Many consider it the best in history, leading Chicago to an 18-1 record.
McMichael, with 95 sacks in his career, also accumulated 847 tackles, 13 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions and 3 safeties in 213 games. His 92.5 sacks with the Bears are only surpassed by Dent in team history.
Although often in the shadow of Hall of Fame members like Singletary and Dent, McMichael was fundamental to the Bears’ success. Coach Mike Ditka described him as the toughest player he coached.
McMichael finished his career with the Packers in 1994. He used to say in his retirement that the only reason he signed with the Bears’ rival was to “steal their money and beat them again.”
Selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft, McMichael didn’t last long in New England. He played six games as a rookie before being released before his second season. He excelled at the University of Texas, where he was unanimously selected to the first All-America team. He left college as the historical leader in tackles (369) and sacks (30).
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
After his football career, “Mongo” had a successful stint as a professional wrestler with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he won the United States Heavyweight Championship as a member of the “Four Horsemen” group led by Ric Flair.
In April 1995, he was in Lawrence Taylor’s corner at WrestleMania. Later that year, he started in WCW as a commentator. He began his in-ring career in 1996, facing Flair for McMichael’s then-wife, Debra, who was a wrestling valet. He remained with the company until 1999.
Whether terrorizing his opponents or talking about the Bears on sports radio, the man known as “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo” – after the character from “Blazing Saddles” – 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, whom the young McMichael considered his father and took his last name.
The family moved to Freer, Texas, and McMichael participated in football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, and golf in his senior year. 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 that he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed for 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 more or harder from the start to the whistle than Steve the player. … And the love that his teammates showed him during this difficult journey says it all about Steve the man».
