NFL Hall of Famer Steve McMichael Passes Away at 67

Steve McMichael, the former Chicago Bears defensive tackle and NFL Hall of Famer, has died at the age of 67 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

He passed away on Thursday at Lightways Hospice in Joliet, Illinois, with his family and friends by his side.

A statement from his publicist, Betsy Shepherd, conveyed the sad news: “It is with profound sadness that I share Steve McMichael’s passing at 5:28 PM, following a valiant fight against ALS. I am thankful I was present during his final moments. Please remember Steve and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

The announcement was also shared on social media by WGN’s Jarrett Payton.

McMichael, known as “Mongo” and “Ming the Merciless,” received his ALS diagnosis in January 2021 and had been fighting the illness since then.

Born on October 17, 1957, in Houston, Texas, McMichael played for 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, establishing himself as one of the team’s most dominant defensive players. He amassed 92.5 of his 95 career sacks while with the Bears, the second-highest in the team’s history.

After his tenure in Chicago, McMichael joined the Green Bay Packers in 1994 for a single season before retiring.

In a 2019 interview, McMichael humorously stated, “For 13 years, I made sure the Bears defeated the Packers every year. I dominated them. Then, in my final year, I joined them, past my prime. I essentially took their money and beat them once more!”

Steve McMichael was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 3, 2024, in Canton, Ohio.

Following his NFL career, he transitioned to professional wrestling, participating from 1995 to 1999.