Steve McMichael, one of the stars of the great Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle team, has been diagnosed with ALS it was reported Friday.
The defensive lineman played college football for the University of Texas at Austin, and was an All-American. He played for the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers, winning Super Bowl XX with the Bears in January 1986.
He also wrested professionally. McMichael was known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
McMichael has been a regular presence on Chicago sports radio for several years.
McMichael, 63, was first diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the Mayo Clinic in January, a second opinion at Rush Hospital confirmed the Mayo Clinic diagnosis.
“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?” McMichael said. “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.”
BREAKING: Former Bears Defensive Lineman Steve McMichael revealed to WGN's @paytonsun this week that he's been diagnosed with 36-month onset ALS https://t.co/rJT90fvMIZ
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) April 23, 2021
A GoFundMe was started to help with the cost of medical care.
“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end,” McMichael told Chicago Tribune.
“What I used to be is the antithesis of what I am now,” said McMichael, nicknamed “Mongo” in tribute to Alex Karras’ character in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy, “Blazing Saddles.” “This is a humbling thing, brother.”
Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett, tweeted.
Here's the #TeamMongo #GoFundMe page that was launched for Steve and his family. Love you Mongo!!! Let's show him some love #Bears fans! https://t.co/nysvgiXigV
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) April 23, 2021
McMichael finished his NFL career with 95 sacks, 92.5 as a Bear. He played 13 seasons in Chicago, sandwiched around a year with the Patriots, who drafted him in the third round, and a final season as a Green Bay Packer.
