Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve 'Mongo' McMichael has died at the age of 67 following his battle with ALS, Jarrett Payton, the son of late Chicago Bears teammate and Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, announced on his X account Wednesday (April 23).
"With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers. #Bears," Payton wrote on his X account.
McMichael's death came shortly after his wife, Misty, confirmed to FOX 32 Chicago that he was being moved to hospice care on Wednesday.
"As of today, Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox has recommended to the family to transfer Steve into a Joliet hospice facility this afternoon," Misty said. "He’s been unresponsive for last two weeks and in and out of the hospital. He’s currently in the ICU at Silver Cross."
McMichael, who revealed his ALS diagnosis in an exclusive interview with Payton in April 2021, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer. The former defensive tackle said he was diagnosed after visiting the Mayo Clinic in January 2021, which was confirmed after opting for a second opinion at Rush Hospital.
“I’m not going to be out in the public any more…you’re not going to see me out doing appearances, hell I can’t even sign my name any more, and everybody’s going to be speculating ‘Where’s McMichael, what’s wrong with him? I’m here to tell everyone I’ve been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, so I’m not going to be a public figure any more," McMichael said in April 2021 via ABC 7 Chicago.
McMichael was a mainstay on the Bears' defense for 13 of his 15 NFL seasons, which included winning Super Bowl XX, after spending his first season with the New England Patriots in 1980 and final season with the Green Bay Packers in 1994. The Houston native made two Pro Bowl appearances (1986, 1987), received two First-team All-Pro nominations (1985, 1987), three Second-team All-Pro nominations (1986, 1988, 1991) and was named to the Pro-Football-Reference 1980's All-Decade Team, as well as the 100 Greatest Bears list celebrating the franchise's centennial anniversary in 2019.
McMichael was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010 for a career at the University of Texas that was capped off with first-team All-American and Hula Bowl defensive MVP honors during his senior season. He also served as the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter from 2007-2013, which included winning a CIFL championship in 2009.
McMichael also enjoyed a notable post-football career in professional wrestling, first appearing in the corner of Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor for his then-WWF WrestleMania XI main event match against Bam Bam Bigelow. The former defensive tackle was later hired by rival promotion WCW as a color commentator before eventually becoming an in-ring competitor, most notably as a member of the legendary 'Four Horsemen' stable alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson and others.
"The World Just Lost The Incredible Steve “Mongo” McMichael! He Was My Best Friend Through It All! An Amazing Athlete And Human Being! I Have The Fondest Memories Working With Him, And This Is An Extremely Heartbreaking Loss For Me! I Love You Mongo! You Fought One Hell Of A Battle! Rest In Peace My Friend!" Flair wrote on his X account.