NFL Legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael Passes Away at 67 After ALS Battle

Steve "Mongo" McMichael, a titan of the NFL and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died at age 67 after a tough battle with ALS.

McMichael's wife, Misty, shared earlier that he had entered hospice care after two weeks of being unresponsive. The NFL confirmed his passing later Wednesday.

McMichael's health had been precarious for some time, with repeated hospital visits last year due to infections like MRSA and a UTI. Not even his Hall of Fame induction in 2023 could keep the medical emergencies at bay—he needed a blood transfusion soon after the big honor.

Despite the historic moment, McMichael couldn't attend his own induction ceremony in Canton, the complications of ALS proving too much. But in true football spirit, he appeared on the video board, donning his Hall of Fame jacket from his hospital bed, surrounded by loved ones.

His wife, Kathy, delivered a speech they had prepared together before ALS stole his speech and movement: "I want to thank the Chicago Bears and the fans, the best city to play football in. I played 15 years in the NFL and loved every minute of every down. I played with the greatest players and the greatest defense to this day."

Former teammate Richard Dent put it best: "You are on a team that you can never be cut from and never be released from. When you die, you’ll always be on this team. Welcome home, Steve. You’re in football heaven forever." The moment Misty gently turned Steve toward his bronze bust—her voice breaking as she said, "That’s you, baby, forever"—packed more emotional punch than a Bears defensive line.

McMichael left his mark in Chicago, helping lead the Bears to their iconic 1985 Super Bowl victory. He racked up 92.5 sacks with the Bears, earned two Pro Bowl nods, and was named to four All-Pro teams. His 15-year NFL run also included stints with the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers, but Chicago always felt like home base for this gridiron giant.

McMichael's legacy—on and off the field—will live on with the Bears faithful, and honestly, football won't be the same without his larger-than-life presence. If there’s a Hall of Fame in the sky, Mongo’s already got a front-row seat.