CHICAGO — Steve McMichael, often recognized for both his impressive physique and vibrant personality, made a significant mark in two highly competitive fields: professional American football and wrestling. Known to fans as “Mongo” and “Ming The Merciless,” McMichael was a formidable defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears, contributing to their legendary 1985 Super Bowl victory. His athletic prowess later found an outlet in professional wrestling, where he continued to leave opponents reeling.
Unfortunately, McMichael passed away Wednesday at the age of 67 after a battle with ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease. His passing was confirmed by his publicist, Betsy Shepherd. McMichael spent his final days at Lightways Hospice, located in suburban Joliet.
During his NFL career, McMichael displayed extraordinary resilience and strength. He was an All-Pro in 1985 and again in 1987, eventually earning induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He holds the record for the most consecutive games played for the Bears, an impressive streak of 191 games from 1981 to 1993, ranking just behind Richard Dent with 92.5 sacks in the franchise’s history. McMichael concluded his NFL tenure with a season at the Green Bay Packers in 1994.
McMichael’s outspoken nature and candid approach made him a natural fit for the world of professional wrestling. He joined World Championship Wrestling during the intense “Monday Night Wars” era of the 1990s, initially serving as a color commentator and later joining forces with Ric Flair in the renowned “Four Horsemen” faction.
In April 2021, McMichael revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS, colloquially known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This condition progressively impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a gradual loss of muscle control. McMichael himself expressed disbelief at the turn his life had taken, candidly sharing his thoughts in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.
The former athlete began to notice tingling sensations in his arms, initially attributing these symptoms to the wear and tear from his years in football and wrestling. However, a visit to the Mayo Clinic in September 2020 suggested ALS as the underlying cause. Further consultations with doctors in Chicago confirmed the heartbreaking diagnosis in January 2021.
As ALS took its toll, McMichael largely withdrew from the public eye. Social media posts by friends and family chronicled his physical decline from a robust 270-pound athlete to a bedridden figure reliant on machines. Despite the challenges, those close to him spoke of his enduring spirit. Misty McMichael, his wife, described him as the toughest man she had ever known, urging him to hold on until his Hall of Fame induction in August 2024.
Steve McMichael was originally from Houston. Raised by his mother and stepfather, E.V. McMichael, an oil executive, in Freer, Texas, he excelled in multiple sports during high school. Although baseball was his first love, with major league interest from teams like the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, he chose to pursue college football due to his parents’ encouragement.
McMichael garnered interest from approximately 75 college football programs. Ultimately, he joined the Texas Longhorns, where he achieved consensus first-team All-American status in his senior year before entering the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. His professional journey began when the New England Patriots drafted him in the third round in 1980, but his time there was brief, partly due to his off-field activities.
His brashness, however, was embraced by the Chicago Bears. As McMichael once recounted in his Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame induction speech, team founder George Halas encouraged his infamous practice field intensity, a decision that paid dividends on the formidable Bears defense of the mid-’80s. McMichael shared the field with other Hall of Famers, contributing to the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory.
Outside the gridiron, McMichael’s generosity and charisma were well-remembered by friends, including Dave Siden, who praised his friend’s storytelling prowess and kindness. McMichael’s philanthropy extended to others, exemplified by his habit of sharing his preseason salaries with team trainers and purchasing toys for children.
Following his NFL career, McMichael seamlessly transitioned into wrestling in 1995, initially supporting Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania and later establishing himself as a fan favorite in World Championship Wrestling through both rivalry and alliance with Ric Flair.
Steve McMichael’s personal life included a divorce from Debra McMichael in 1998 and his subsequent marriage to Misty Davenport in 2001, with whom he had a daughter, Macy. His contributions to both football and wrestling, coupled with his inherent charisma, secured his legacy in sports history as both a fierce competitor and a generous spirit.
The legacy of Steve McMichael remains an inspiring chapter in sports history as a testament to his tenacity on the field and empathy off it, earning the respect and remembrance from fans, friends, and colleagues alike.