Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Bears Legend and Hall of Famer, Passes Away

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

The world of American football is in mourning following the death of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a prominent member of the historic “46” defense of the Chicago Bears from the 1980s. McMichael, who ranked number two in franchise history with 92.5 sacks, died at the age of 67, according to the NFL. A McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021. His impact on the field and his subsequent battle with the disease have moved the sports community. Although he played one season with the New England Patriots and another with the Green Bay Packers, it was during his 13 seasons with the Bears where he left an indelible mark, including the team record of 191 consecutive games played. In total, McMichael participated in 207 games between 1981 and 1994.

The Chicago Bears mourn the loss of Steve McMichael, a beloved teammate, player, and broadcaster.

Our hearts are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/8Yl49L1O2w

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 21, 2024

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

It is 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, about 344 kilometers west of Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio, McMichael was officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His bust was unveiled at his home in Homer Glen, Illinois, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and members of the famous 1985 Bears defense. McMichael’s sister, Kathy, delivered the defensive tackle’s enshrinement speech in a pre-recorded video. Among those present to celebrate McMichael’s induction 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 brothers of the world. In Canton, we have 378 brothers who are 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

Heartbreaking news. Steve McMichael, a member of the 1985 Bears Super Bowl team, has passed away at the age of 67.

RIP, Mongo. pic.twitter.com/Y9YfT968yM

— NFL (@NFL) May 21, 2024

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

McMichael, selected by the senior committee of the Hall of Fame, had been previously nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2015, and he passed the first cut of candidates twice before not being selected. His wife, Misty, actively campaigned for her husband’s consecration as ALS took away his ability to move or speak, bedridden during the last years of his life. McMichael had signed a “do not resuscitate” form in 2023 before his condition began to worsen. 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.

We will never know a stronger fighter. He was also the sweetest man I have ever known. 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 his 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 infinitely.

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, and was selected to the first All-Pro team after starting every game that season. He controlled the interior of the line for a defense that ranked No. 1 that season in fewest points allowed, fewest yards allowed, and takeaways, in addition to conceding only 10 points in three playoff victories, and many consider it the best of all time after leading Chicago to an 18-1 record. McMichael, who finished with 95 sacks in his career, also had 847 tackles in his career, 13 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, and 3 safeties recorded in 213 career games. His 92.5 sacks with the Bears place him only behind Dent in team history.

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

McMichael ended his career with the Packers in 1994, but he liked to tell people in his retirement that the only reason he signed with the Bears’ bitter rival 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, appearing in six games as a rookie before being released before his second season. He played in college at Texas, where the Houston native was a unanimous first-team All-America selection for a notoriously stingy defense and left as the Longhorns’ all-time leader in tackles (369) and sacks (30). He received recruitment letters for American football from about 75 schools. 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.

Remembering the legendary Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a true force on and off the field. 🏈 #NFL pic.twitter.com/38T04X18kO

— NFL (@NFL) May 21, 2024

After his football career, “Mongo” resurfaced 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, feuding with Flair over then-wife Debra McMichael, 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 “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 surname. The family moved to Freer, Texas, and McMichael went on to be a football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, and golf player as a senior. As a high school catcher, 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 for 15 seasons in the National Football League. And he did.

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

McMichael’s fight against ALS and his legacy in American football will be remembered forever.