Key Points Summary – Steve McMichael Dead at 67 After ALS Battle
- Chicago Bears legend and Hall of Fame defensive lineman Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away at 67 after a courageous battle with ALS.
- McMichael unresponsive for two weeks and moved to hospice care before dying peacefully, surrounded by family.
- Diagnosed with ALS in 2021, McMichael’s condition rapidly worsened in recent months.
- He received his Hall of Fame gold jacket and bust bedside last summer in an emotional private ceremony.
- McMichael was a central figure in the 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears, recording 95 career sacks and earning five All-Pro selections.
- He also had a post-football run in professional wrestling, joining the legendary “Four Horsemen” faction in WCW.
- Fans, friends, and teammates are mourning the loss of a true Chicago icon.
Steve McMichael Dead at 67 – The Heart of the ’85 Bears Gone
One of the most beloved figures in Chicago sports history BRUTAL gone. Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the ferocious defensive lineman from the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears, has passed away at 67 years oldfollowing a brutal, years-long battle with ALS.
The news shared on Wednesday by Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s late teammate Walter Payton, who confirmed the heartbreaking loss and asked fans to keep the McMichael family in their prayers.
“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with ALS, surrounded by loved ones,” Payton posted. “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments.”
A Brutal Disease, A Brave Fight
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021. The neurodegenerative illness slowly robs the body of its ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe.
In recent weeks, McMichael’s condition declined rapidly. His wife, Misty, told Fox 32 in Chicago that he had been unresponsive for two weeks and had been in and out of the hospital. On Wednesday morning, the family revealed that McMichael was being moved into hospice care.
By evening, the warrior who once terrorized quarterbacks on NFL fields had passed.
The Hall of Fame Moment That Almost Didn’t Happen
Just last summer, in one of the most emotional NFL moments in recent memory, McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But because of his advanced illness, he could not attend the ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Instead, the league brought the Hall of Fame to him, presenting him with his gold jacket and bronze bust at his bedside in Homer Glen, Illinois.
He was surrounded by his wife, daughter Macy, and several of his former teammates from that iconic Bears squad.
It was a fitting tribute to a man who gave everything to the game—and to his city.
Mongo’s Football Legacy – One of the Best to Ever Do It
Steve McMichael started his NFL career in 1980 with the New England Patriots. But it was with the Chicago Bears, where he spent 13 unforgettable seasons, that he became a household name.
A central piece of the historic 1985 Bears defense—arguably the greatest defensive unit of all time—McMichael was as tough as they come.
- 95 career sacks
- 5-time All-Pro selection
- 1 Super Bowl ring
- Feared. Respected. Loved.
He was known not just for his talent, but for his fiery attitude, massive personality, and love for the game.
“There was no one tougher,” said former Bears coach Mike Ditka. “He was the heart of that defense.”
Beyond the Gridiron – Wrestling and More
After hanging up his cleats in 1994 (with a final season in Green Bay), McMichael pivoted to another arena—literally.
He spent five years in professional wrestling, first as a color commentator and then as a performer with World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
His most famous role? Becoming part of the legendary “Four Horsemen” alongside Ric Flair. Fans of the era remember Mongo as the guy who could hit hard with a mic or a clothesline.
Family, Faith, and Final Farewells
At his side through it all was his wife, Misty McMichael, and their daughter, Macy. They stood by him through his football glory, his wrestling adventures, and his final years of devastating illness.
Misty, in recent interviews, has been transparent about the emotional toll of caring for someone with ALS.
“He fought. Every single day. And we fought with him,” she told Fox 32.
Their courage inspired fans everywhere.
A City in Mourning – Chicago Pays Tribute
From Soldier Field to bars across the Windy City, fans are mourning the loss of a true Chicago icon.
Flags at the Bears’ facility were lowered. Social media was flooded with tributes. Former teammates, coaches, and even wrestling legends offered their condolences.
“He was a Bear through and through,” tweeted Ric Flair. “He brought that same fire to the ring. I’ll miss you, Mongo.”
Steve McMichael Dead at 67 – The Legend Lives On
Steve McMichael is gone, but his legacy is as alive as ever.
On the field, he was a champion. Off the field, he was a fighter. And in every moment in between, he was Mongo—a larger-than-life hero to fans of football and wrestling alike.
As his family grieves and Chicago remembers, one thing is certain: they don’t make them like Steve McMichael anymore.
Rest easy, Mongo.
