Concerns Mount as Chicago Bears Legend Steve McMichael Admitted to ICU Amid ALS Battle
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Steve McMichael, a former Chicago Bears great, was hospitalized on Thursday because of sepsis & pneumonia, according to his wife Misty’s Instagram post. According to the post, McMichael, 65, was admitted to the intensive care unit. McMichael, known as “Mongo” during his time with the Bears, disclosed in 2021 that he was diagnosed with ALS the same year. McMichael stated at the time that he had lost 50-60 pounds & was no longer capable to lift his arms over his head. Misty, McMichael’s wife, has been one of his key carers since his illness. McMichael’s hospitalization comes only days after he moved one step closer to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McMichael was one of 31 semifinalists chosen by the Hall of Fame’s seniors committee. McMichael earned the cut when the roster was reduced to 12 players in late July. The committee of 12 will convene in August to choose three candidates to be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. A player must have appeared in their last NFL game no later than the 1998 season to be eligible for the senior committee. From 1980 until 1994, McMichael played 15 seasons in the NFL, 13 of them with the Bears. He was named to two All-Pro teams and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory in 1985. With 92.5 career sacks, he ranks second in team history.
Received this from Steve McMichael’s publicist this morning: pic.twitter.com/ekyJVDhg5y
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) August 4, 2023
Is Steve McMichael All Right? A Chicago Bears Legend Who Has ALS Has Been Admitted To An Intensive Care
According to his wife, Misty McMichael, Steve McMichael, a former Chicago Bears player who has ALS, was taken to an Illinois intensive care unit on August 4. “Prayers for Mongo, please,” his wife wrote on Instagram. We were brought to the Silver Cross ICU yesterday night with Sepsis & pneumonia.” McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, is now awake, as reported by his family, after being unconscious when he was admitted to the hospital. “I think those prayers have kept him alive, plus the Hall of Fame hope, that dream is still alive, all of that combined is keeping him here with us,” his wife said of the community’s support for McMichael. The world will be a sadder place without him, therefore I appreciate the prayers and encourage them to continue praying because we have another year to go.” The Chicago Bears defensive tackle played 13 seasons with the organization, earning two All-Pro choices and playing a key role in the defensive line which helped the team win the Super Bowl in 1985. McMichael, affectionately known as ‘Mongo’ and ‘Ming The Merciless,’ played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993.
He is second on the team’s all-time sack chart with 92 and a half career sacks. According to the New York Post, the defensive tackle will be one of 12 players who retired before 1998 who are up for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame by voters in January of the following year. McMichael played his final season with Green Bay after spending his initial season with the Patriots. In addition, the former NFL great explored a second career in professional wrestling, challenging Arn Anderson and Ric Flair to a battle with his partner Kevin Greene. From 2007 through 2013, he was the head coach of the Indoor Football League’s Chicago Slaughter. McMichael was employed by the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) organization in 1995. On September 4, 1995, he made his WCW Monday Nitro debut as the pro-babyface colour commentator, alongside lead broadcaster Eric Bischoff & Bobby Heenan in their customary pro-heel commentary positions. According to sources, McMichael frequently argued with Heenan, cheered on the popular wrestlers during matches, and brought his dog Pepe to the broadcast booth.
