Four years after bravely sharing his ALS diagnosis, Chicago Bears icon and Hall of Famer Steve McMichael has entered hospice care. The news marks a somber moment for football fans, especially those who watched McMichael dominate as part of the Bears’ legendary 1985 Super Bowl team.
A Legend’s Toughest Fight
McMichael, now 67, was one of the fiercest and most beloved players in Bears history. Known to teammates and fans as “Mongo,” he was a cornerstone of the famous “46” defense that crushed opponents during the Bears’ historic 1985 championship run. His All-Pro season that year helped Chicago hold opponents to record-low yardage and score one of the most lopsided Super Bowl wins ever — a 46-10 blowout of the Patriots.
Now, the battle he’s fighting is off the field — and it’s far more personal.
News Shared by a Fellow Football Family Member
Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s late teammate and Hall of Famer Walter Payton, shared the hospice news on social media. Jarrett was also the one who first interviewed McMichael when he revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2021.
Even through the challenges of ALS, McMichael recently got to experience a career-defining honor — his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. Though he couldn’t attend the ceremony in person, McMichael watched from home, surrounded by family and old teammates.
Hall of Fame Moment with Old Teammates
When the Hall of Fame announcement was made earlier this year, McMichael was told the news by none other than Richard Dent — his fellow ’85 teammate and fellow Hall of Famer — via FaceTime. That moment was one of many reminders of how tightly knit that Bears team still is, nearly 40 years later.
Players like Dent, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, and William “The Refrigerator” Perry helped define that team’s swagger. But McMichael was right there at the heart of it — tough, loud, loyal, and relentless.
Life Beyond the Gridiron
Drafted by the New England Patriots in 1980, McMichael played only one season there before landing in Chicago. It was with the Bears that he found his home — playing 13 seasons and becoming one of the best defensive tackles of his era. From 1983 to 1989, he averaged nearly nine sacks a season, a rare feat for an interior lineman.
After football, McMichael kept things interesting. He stepped into the world of professional wrestling and even hosted a Bears radio show. His larger-than-life personality made him a fan favorite on and off the field.
A Teammate to the Core
“Steve was a total consummate team-first guy,” said Dan Hampton ahead of McMichael’s Hall of Fame induction. “When you’re doing it, by God you appreciate somebody else that’s doing it — and he was fantastic at it.”
McMichael himself once summed up the magic of being part of that unforgettable team:
“My whole existence was walking out that tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd,” he said in ESPN’s ’85 Bears documentary. “That’s when you’re really alive, baby.”
As Steve McMichael faces this next chapter surrounded by loved ones, Bears fans everywhere are sending him strength. His fight, spirit, and legendary toughness have always defined him — and continue to inspire.
