CHICAGO — Steve McMichael, the larger-than-life defensive tackle who anchored the Chicago Bears’ legendary 1985 Super Bowl defense, died Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 67. The Pro Football Hall of Famer succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a merciless disease he fought for years, leaving behind a legacy as fierce as his play on the field.
McMichael, nicknamed “Mongo” for his bruising style and outsized personality, was a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses. Born in Houston, Texas, on October 17, 1957, he carved out a 15-year career, 13 of those with the Bears, where he became a two-time All-Pro and racked up 95 sacks, a franchise record for defensive linemen. His relentless motor and quick wit made him a fan favorite, whether he was flattening quarterbacks or charming reporters with barbs in the locker room.
Diagnosed with ALS in January 2021, McMichael faced the neurodegenerative disease with the same grit he brought to Soldier Field. By August 2024, when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was bedridden, unable to speak, communicating through eye-gaze technology. His wife, Misty, and former teammates surrounded him in a hospital room as he was draped in his bronze Hall of Fame jacket, a moment captured in photos shared by the Bears’ official social media accounts. The ceremony, bittersweet and raw, honored a man who’d given everything to the game.
McMichael’s fight drew tributes from across the sports world. The Bears, in a statement released April 24, called him “a warrior on and off the field” and confirmed his passing at a Chicago-area hospital. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, in a post on the state’s official X account, hailed McMichael as “a true son of the Land of Lincoln” whose toughness inspired countless fans. The NFL, in a release on its website, noted his 191 consecutive games played, a testament to his durability.
Beyond football, McMichael dabbled in pro wrestling, performing in World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s, and ran a restaurant in Romeoville, Illinois, where he’d often greet patrons with a grin and a story. His outsized presence extended to local radio, where he was a regular on Chicago airwaves, his gravelly voice breaking down games with unfiltered candor.
His health declined steadily after 2021. ALS, which progressively robs patients of muscle control, left him reliant on round-the-clock care. Fundraisers organized by former teammates, documented in Bears press releases, helped cover medical costs. A GoFundMe page, verified by the team, raised over $200,000 by late 2024. McMichael’s family, in a statement through the Bears, expressed gratitude for the support, saying he “felt the love” from fans until the end.
He is survived by his wife, Misty, and their daughter, Macy. Funeral arrangements, per a family spokesperson quoted in a Chicago Tribune report, will be private, with a public memorial service planned for May 2025 at Soldier Field.
McMichael played 213 games, recorded 847 tackles, and was named to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team. His No. 76 jersey remains unretired by the Bears.