Steve “Mongo” McMichael played 15 seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle. He played on the best defense ever assembled, the ’85 Bears, that won Superbowl XX. That 1985 Bears team has produced six and still counting members of the Football Hall of Fame. McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, which is terminal disease with no cure. In 2023, McMichael has been confined to his bed. The former Bear wants nothing to do with hospitals as he is being cared for in his home in Homer Glen, Illinois. He’s been hanging on for dear life as the pain is off the charts. He even had a few close calls from death knocking at the door. He’s been waiting for the verdict of the NFL Veterans committee, deciding his fate regarding being enshrined in football royalty, Canton, Ohio & the Football Hall of Fame. McMichael is just a shell of himself as he can’t speak as he’s on breathing & feeding tubes. He communicates with a computer’s robotic voice or blinking his eyes. His former Bears teammate, Richard Dent, who is one the six from that ’85 team in the Hall delivered the news on the phone. Face time. Told his longtime friend, “It’s your turn this time brother, it’s your turn.”

Now, Steve McMichael’s long football journey will conclude and he’ll be the in the 2024 class of the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Right now Steve McMichael is 66 years old, born and and raised in the state of Texas. We know Texas loves their football as they sleep and eat the game. It did not take long for McMichael to showcase his talents on the field back in High School. He stayed in Texas and played for the Longhorns during college at the University of Texas. McMichael was a College All-American. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round of the NFL draft after a great career for the Longhorns. The book ends of his NFL game were the bread of the Bears sandwich during which he played one season in New England and in 1994 signed with the enemy, the Packers to conclude his professional career. The Bears had McMichael for 13 seasons. He played in 213 games in his career, 191 of which were consecutive games for the Bears at one point. He did not miss games. McMichael racked up 95 sacks, which is the 3rd most in NFL history as a defensive tackle. McMichael had 847 tackles, forced 13 fumbles, and had two interceptions. He was a 2x All-Pro. He made two Pro-Bowls. Before getting in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McMichael has made every level of football royalty. He’s in the Texas Hall of Fame. He made the Longhorns Hall of Fame at the University of Texas. Then he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of fame. Now he has all of them.

Steve McMichael earned the nickname, Mongo, from the character on the movie, Blazing Saddles, the guy riding the bull. The ’85 Bears had all kinds of personalities that meshed perfectly for that one year. Mongo fit perfectly in this group full of superstars. On that stunning Bears defense already enshrined in the Hall of Fame before McMichael are edge rusher Richard Dent and fellow line mate Dan Hampton. Then one of the best linebackers in Bears history, Mike Singletary. You had Da Coach Iron Mike Ditka who led this ragtag bunch to the promised land. On offense the greatest running back in the NFL all-time, Sweetness Walter Payton. The Bears also had one of their offensive linemen make it to Canton in Big Jimbo Covert. Imagine all the other names left out of the conversation like Wilbur Marshall and Otis Wilson, two solid linebackers. Others on the offense line, Keith Van Horne and Jay Hillenburg, maybe the best center in Bears history. The Punky QB, Jim McMahon. The play maker speedster wide out, Willie Gault. This kind of group would divide locker rooms. Ditka did not get along with his defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan so in a way, the locker room was divided offense versus defense. This group lost only one game on Monday Night during that magical year versus the Dan Marino led Dolphins. The Bears players did the Superbowl Shuffle song before winning the big game that year down in New Orleans. Mongo McMichael did the dirty work in the trenches for this team. Lots of stuff that does not show up in the stat sheets. Kill the quarterback was obviously Mongo’s main goal on each play, but he did a great job freeing up the linebackers. Taking out the guy or guys across from him so they could fill the gap and make the tackle. He slapped that bull of an opponent like the strongman named Mongo in Blazing Saddles. They did win the big game at the end by destroying the Patriots back then. These guys are such a tight group most of them are still the toast of the town. Many still live in Chicago. When a brother’s down, they come by. They helped build ramps on their teammate’s house when they heard Mongo was diagnosed with ALS. You really don’t hear stories like that of championship teams still in touch with each other decades after winning the Superbowl. Most championship teams get together for the reunions every ten years. This team has bonds for life.

Everyone has their rock. Everyone has that soul mate, that friendship, that sees the worst and best in that person. Steve McMichael met his wife Misty in Austin, Texas at a bar called the Pearl Oyster bar. Yes, the American love story happening in a bar, saloon, or a pub. That is story of the ages and it is world wide ever since Jesus was playing pin ball at the local Mosses Stone Temple Wine Bar. McMichael was done on the gridiron when he met the girl of his dreams. Since being a multi sport athlete in High School, he had entered the ring as a WCW wrestler.

McMichael wrestled the great Reggie White. He wore his hair in a pony tail. He still wore the Chicago Bears stuff and his number 76 was embroidered on his shorts. Misty, his rock, had never seen his football days but definitely enjoyed the moments watching her husband perform in the ring. They had a wonderful daughter named Macy. Now McMichael’s rock is still by his side through this period when this disease eats away everything accept the brain. They had multiple scares when McMichael went into a coma for short time. They got through it. Now finally after dealing with all this and knowing he’s clinging on for dear life and his chances of getting into the Hall were also hanging by thread. Mike Ditka said he should have been in the Hall ten years ago. Every system has some flaws in voting for these major sports achievements. How many times did we see an athlete pass away & then suddenly they make it to the Hall. This story, even though it is very sad, has that gleaming streak of sunshine of a nice ending. This may not be the ending. The plan is to get Mongo to the ceremony in Canton, which would be something special and amazing at the same time. Like his favorite actor, John Wayne could be shot but still gets the bad guys.

If Steve McMichael was healthy getting the news, can you imagine the celebration he would be having. This is a guy bigger than life. He went rattlesnake hunting. He broke a bottle on his head. His description of his football savvy was entertaining when he was on a local show, Sports Sunday, during his playing days with the Bears. He would sometimes bring his little dog with him on the set. Him and the host Mark Giangreco would conclude my weekend on a high note going over what the Bears did, even if they won or lost the game. I met McMichael when his book was out & got an autograph as well. Unfortunately, that book got lost as my friend read it first. It was at a book signing at the local mall and it was exciting to see a legend up close like that. He seemed like a guy you can have some beers with. McMichael lived his life so far to the fullest, and it may take you or me another 200 years to get to his point of lifetime stories. It would suck not being able to really enjoy the whole experience like most of the players who wore the golden jackets at Canton. I hope he does make it to Canton to see his football legacy unfold in front of his eyes. Nobody deserves a disease like he has. In life, you have to enjoy the moment like he has and is still doing. Because it flashes by. Congratulations MONGO!! it’s about time those SOB’S down in Canton and those sports writers get off their arse, open their eyes, and check the right box. The vote for Steve McMichael should have been years ago, but we will all take it & enjoy this big day in sports.