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

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

The world of American football mourns the loss of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a prominent member of the legendary “46” defense of the Chicago Bears in the 1980s. McMichael, who ranked second in franchise history with 92.5 sacks, passed away at the age of 67, according to the NFL. Diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021, McMichael left an indelible mark on the sport. Although he played one season with the New England Patriots and another with the Green Bay Packers, it was his 13 seasons with the Bears that defined his legacy, including a team record of 191 consecutive games played. In total, McMichael participated in 207 games between 1981 and 1994.

Heartbreaking news. Former Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael has passed away at the age of 67. pic.twitter.com/wS7mXh6rK0

— NFL (@NFL) May 14, 2024

The defensive tackle was a Super Bowl champion (1985) and was selected twice to the All-Pro first 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 terrible 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, Chairman of the Bears

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, surrounded by his wife, daughter, and members of the famous 1985 Bears defense. In the induction ceremony, his 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 who are looking for you. You are on a team from which you can never be cut, from which you can never be released. When you die on this team, you will still be on it.

Richard Dent

Steve McMichael’s Hall of Fame bust has been revealed! 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/b5b6bL6d3n

— NFL (@NFL) May 14, 2024

A live video from McMichael’s bed was broadcast to the crowd in Canton, as Hall of Fame emcee Chris Berman 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.

Steve McMichael’s Message

McMichael was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and 2015, and made it past the first cut of candidates on two occasions before not being selected. His wife, Misty, actively fought for her husband’s inclusion, as ALS took away his ability to move or speak, leaving him 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 top 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 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 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 them endlessly.

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 by starting all the games that season. He controlled the interior of the line for a defense that ranked No. 1 that season in the fewest points allowed, the fewest yards allowed, and recoveries, in addition to allowing only 10 points in three playoff victories, and many consider it the best in history 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 sacks recorded in 213 career games. His 92.5 sacks with the Bears place him 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 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 unanimously selected for the first All-America team for a notoriously stingy defense and left as the Longhorns’ all-time leader in tackles (369) and sacks (30). He received football recruiting letters from about 75 schools. Bear Bryant wanted to use him as a tight end at Alabama, and Darrell Royal recruited him to Texas as a defensive end. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve McMichael. He was a true legend on and off the field. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. #RIPMongo pic.twitter.com/X57U41eJqG

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 14, 2024

After football, “Mongo” had a resurgence in his career 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 stayed with the company until 1999. Whether terrorizing his opponents or arguing about the Bears on sports radio, the man known as “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo”, like the character from “Blazing Saddles” 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 went on to earn letters in football, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, and golf 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 that he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed for 15 seasons in the National Football League. And that’s exactly what he did. Everyone who played with or against Steve shares the same opinion: nobody fought harder or more from the snap to the whistle than Steve the player. And the love his teammates showed him throughout this difficult journey says it all about Steve the man.

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