Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael has died. He was 67.
McMichael was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the progressive neurological disease commonly known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” in 2021. He was reported earlier Wednesday to have entered hospice care.
McMichael was a key part of the Chicago Bears team that won the Super Bowl in 1986. He made two Pro Bowls, and was a two-time All-Pro, during a 15-year NFL career with the Bears (1980-93) and Green Bay Packers (1994).
In 2024, McMichael was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and inducted remotely during the ceremony that was held in Canton, Ohio. McMichael’s family and members of the 1985 Bears, including Mike Singletary and Richard Dent, surrounded McMichael at his home as his bronze Hall of Fame bust was unveiled bedside.
A native of Houston, McMichael was a star defensive lineman for the Texas Longhorns from 1976-79. In Austin, he was a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection and a consensus All-American.
After being drafted into the NFL, McMichael logged 213 games, 171 starts, 847 tackles and 95 sacks. His 95 sacks are fourth all-time among defensive tackles and his 92.5 with the Bears are second in franchise history behind Dent (124.5).
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McMichael’s toughness and consistency earned him the respect of his coaches and teammates, with Bears coach Mike Ditka calling him the toughest player he had ever coached. Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan said he was “one of the toughest son of a guns ever to play the game.”
Recently, the effects of ALS on McMichael’s health jeopardized his life. He was reportedly hospitalized multiple times last year, diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, MRSA and pneumonia in February of that year and then again later in April with another illness.
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McMichael’s wife, Misty, shared that he wanted to stay alive long enough to see himself inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Jarrett Payton, the son of McMichael’s former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Walter Payton, announced McMichael’s death Wednesday. Jarrett had been a spokesperson for McMichael throughout his ALS battle.
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 your prayers. 🙏🏽 #Bears
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) April 23, 2025
“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones,” Payton wrote on Twitter/X. “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers.”
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