Steve McMichael, who played as a Hall of Fame defensive tackle and symbolized the competitive nature of the Chicago Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was 67 and had been suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for several years.

Nicknamed “Mongo,” McMichael is remembered as one of the most formidable defensive tackles in NFL history and a distinctive figure in the Bears’ navy and orange.

Bears chairman George H. McCaskey remarked on the irony of McMichael’s passing due to ALS, noting his internal strength and grace in facing the illness. McCaskey highlighted McMichael’s dignified and resilient nature, which left a lasting impression on those around him.

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in January 2021. Despite his health challenges, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Due to his condition, the ceremony was held at his home instead of Canton, Ohio, where he received his gold jacket and bust.

During the ceremony, Richard Dent, a former teammate and Hall of Famer, addressed McMichael, saying, “Steve, we’re here with all your world champion brothers. Back in Canton, we have 378 brothers that are looking for you. You’re on a team that you can never be cut from.”

McMichael played 15 seasons in the NFL, spending 13 of those years with the Bears from 1981 to 1993. Notably durable, he appeared in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games. His career accolades include two first-team All-Pro selections (1985, 1987), three second-team All-Pro honors, and two Pro Bowl appearances.

The Texas native logged 92.5 sacks with the Bears, ranking him second in team history behind Richard Dent. His career total of 95 sacks places him fourth among defensive tackles in NFL history. McMichael recorded 847 tackles over 213 NFL games.

His wife, Misty McMichael, shared her emotions with the Associated Press before his Hall of Fame induction in 2024. She described Steve as the most “badass” man she had ever known. Despite his fear of death, she was proud of his resilience, although she wished his suffering would not continue beyond achieving his Hall of Fame dream.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 270 pounds, McMichael excelled in Buddy Ryan’s “46” defense due to his strength, agility, and intelligence. His ability to disrupt both the pass and run made him invaluable to the team.

McMichael initially joined the NFL when the New England Patriots drafted him in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft. Released before his second season, he found success with the Bears. In a noteworthy twist, McMichael contributed to the Bears’ dominant Super Bowl XX victory over his former team, the Patriots, holding them to 123 total yards in a 46-10 win.

Known as “Ming the Merciless,” McMichael was a pivotal part of the Bears’ 1985 defense, regarded as one of the best in NFL history. Alongside Hall of Famers Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, and Dan Hampton, he formed a defense that dominated opponents.

Mike Singletary, a former teammate, expressed his joy during McMichael’s Hall of Fame ceremony in 2024, stating, “I’m really excited for him… It’s been a long haul. It’s been tough. He’s been through a lot: blood, sweat and tears on the field.”

After retiring from the NFL in 1994, following a season with the Green Bay Packers, McMichael transitioned into professional wrestling. He joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s, working as a color commentator and wrestler, notably part of the “Four Horsemen.”

Throughout his battle with ALS, McMichael was recognized for his public struggle and efforts to raise awareness. In 2021, he received the ALS Courage Award from the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, acknowledged McMichael’s determination, noting that he faced ALS with the same grit he showed during his NFL career.

Before his NFL career, McMichael was a standout at the University of Texas, which led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. His path from Texas to Chicago and ultimately to Canton is one of the most notable in football history.

In a 2021 interview, McMichael expressed no regrets about his football career, stating, “Hell yes, I would do it all over again,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “Because it’s that journey that’s the reward. It’s that climb and how hard it was to substantiate yourself as out of the ordinary.”

McMichael is survived by his wife, Misty, and their daughter, Macy.