Steve McMichael Released from Hospital; Bears Legend Was in Intensive Care

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 24, 2024

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Legendary former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael is resting at home after being hospitalized for over a week with a urinary tract infection, pneumonia and MRSA.

McMichael’s publicist, Betsy Shepherd, told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) the following on Friday following McMichael’s release from the hospital: “The outpouring of love, support and prayers have helped Steve get through this latest battle. All he wanted was to get home to [wife] Misty and [daughter] Macy where he feels most comfortable.”

The 66-year-old McMichael, who announced in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with the incurable neurodegenerative disease ALS, was chosen as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 two weeks ago.

Nicknamed “Mongo,” McMichael spent 15 years in the NFL, playing 13 seasons for the Bears, one with the New England Patriots and one with the Green Bay Packers.

McMichael was a two-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and two-time second-team All-Pro. He was also part of the famed 1985 Bears defense and won a Super Bowl with Chicago that season.

Over his 15-year career, McMichael played in 213 regular-season games, recording 847 tackles and 95 sacks. He ranks second on the Bears’ all-time sacks list with 92.5 and played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993.

McMichael is also known to fans of pro wrestling due to his appearances in WWE and WCW in the mid-to-late 1990s.

At WrestleMania 11 in 1995, McMichael was one of several NFL players in the corner of legendary New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor for his main event match against Bam Bam Bigelow.

McMichael joined WCW as a commentator later that year and then became an in-ring performer, joining the Four Horsemen at one point and winning the United States Championship once.

By virtue of his accomplishments on the football field, McMichael was chosen as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 by the seniors committee.

Along with Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis and Randy Gradishar, McMichael will officially be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August.