Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears Great Steve McMichael Dies at 67

Ryan Berenz 14 seconds ago

Steve McMichael, Chicago Bears — Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Steve McMichael, a colorful member of the famed 1985 Chicago Bears defense that dominated in Super Bowl XX, has died following a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 67.

Jarrett Payton, son of Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, announced the news of McMichael’s passing on Wednesday, April 23. Jarrett has served as a spokesperson for McMichael’s family.

For Bears fans, few names ignite pride and reverence like McMichael. A larger-than-life figure on and off the field, “Mongo” embodied everything that defined Bears football: grit, heart, toughness and loyalty.

At defensive tackle, McMichael was the engine of the greatest defense in NFL history. He played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games for the Bears from 1981-93, recording 95 sacks over his 13-season Bears career.

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McMichael played his final NFL season as a member of the archrival Green Bay Packers, lining up against his former teammates twice in 1994.

After retiring from the NFL, McMichael entered the pro wrestling ring, most memorably with the Four Horsemen in World Championship Wrestling in the late ’90s.

One of his funniest moments came in 2001, when he was the guest conductor for the 7th inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs game. McMichael criticized the home plate umpire over the Wrigley Field PA system. He was ejected from the stadium by the umpire crew chief.

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In 2021, McMichael announced his ALS diagnosis.

“It’s a cruel irony that the Bears’ Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. “Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve’s family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear.”