The Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael, also known as “Mongo”, became a childhood hero for the 90’s kids after leading the team’s defensive line when they grabbed the Vince Lombardi trophy in 1985. Recently, the former footballer has sent a major shockwave among the fans after struggling with sepsis and pneumonia.
After finishing his rookie season with the New England Patriots, Mongo played 191 consecutive games for the Bears from 1981 until 1993 before finishing his career with one season with the Green Bay Packers. He is also expected to be inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame title next year as one of 12 players who retired before 1998.
Steve McMichael rushed to ICU
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease back in 2021 and he was lying unconscious while being taken to the hospital to treat sepsis with intravenous antibiotics on Thursday night, per a report from Fox News.
“Like the tough warrior he is, he is now awake, and his vitals are better. His wife, Misty, is at his side and is asking his fans for their prayers,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Steve McMichael, a star defensive tackle on the Chicago Bears’ famed 1985 Super Bowl championship team who has ALS, was in intensive care because of sepsis and pneumonia, his wife said Friday.https://t.co/QFdtCEvLaV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2023
Many fans gathered at the hospital Friday to wish the five-time All-Pro a speedy recovery. Misty got overwhelmed seeing the support for the veteran star while saying the support meant everything to them and also urged everyone to keep him in their prayers so that he could get to see the potential HOF title.
“I think those prayers have kept him alive and the Hall of Fame hope, that dream is still alive, all that together is keeping him here with us. The world is going be a sad place when he’s not here anymore so I appreciate the prayers and I want them to keep praying ’cause we got a whole other year to get through.”
Bears legend’s HOF eligibility
Steve was named as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame last month and it has moved on to the next round of voting for the HOF Class of 2024. The Hall of Fame’s senior committee will narrow the 12 candidates down to three finalists who will later get up-or-down votes from the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee in January next year. Mongo is projected to be a strong candidate to be one of the three finalists.
The football prodigy finished his illustrious NFL career with 95 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, and three safeties. He recorded 92.5 sacks and 12 forced fumbles in 191 games with the Bears, with the feat of having 5.5 sacks in 12 playoff games in Chicago.
The two-time Pro Bowler also once challenged Ric Flair and Arn Anderson to a match with his former partner Kevin Greene in a wrestling match. Besides being a footballer and wrestler, he performed duty as the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League (2007-2013).
We wish a speedy recovery for the former football superstar and hope that McMichael would live long to witness him getting the prestigious Hall of Fame title next year.
