Steve McMichael enters Pro Football Hall of Fame in powerful scenes as the Bears star, ravaged by ALS, is joined by his Chicago teammates at his home
Although Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael was unable to attend the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony, the ceremony came to him in impressive footage from his home in Homer Glen, Illinois.
The 66-year-old, who has ALS and is bedridden in the late stages of the neurological disease, became the second player of the seven members of the Class of 2024 to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Surrounded by several of his Bears teammates and his wife Misty, McMichael wore his gold jacket as his bronze bust was unveiled live in a moving tribute.
“You’re on a team that you can never be cut from and never be kicked out of. When you die, you’ll always be on this team. Welcome home, Steve. You’re in football heaven forever,” Hall of Famer Richard Dent said as he patted McMichael on the head.
Misty wiped the tears from her face as she turned her husband’s head toward the bronze bust. “That’s you, darling, forever,” she said.
Steve McMichael, diagnosed with ALS, has been inducted into the Football Hall of Fame
Jim McMahon, quarterback of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl championship team, watched the scene unfold on a video screen at the live event at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Many Bears fans shed tears when they saw McMichael.
Nicknamed “Mongo” and known for his brash and outrageous personality, McMichael was the most feared player on one of the best defenses in NFL history. He became the fourth defensive player from the 1985 team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Dent, Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton.
McMichael’s sister, Kathy, read a speech she had been working on with her brother before he lost his ability to move and speak.
“I want to thank the Chicago Bears and the fans, the best city to play football in,” Kathy McMichael said. “I played in the NFL for 15 years and loved every minute of every down. I’ve played with the best players and the best defense to this day.”
The defensive tackle’s career at Chicago was highlighted by his two All-Pro honors
McMichael’s induction took place at his Illinois home, surrounded by his wife and teammates
McMichael played in a franchise record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993
The Hall of Famer made his ALS diagnosis public three years ago
Jarret Payton, son of Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, introduced McMichael, who called Payton a “pseudo-son” in his sister’s speech.
“The only thing bigger than his personality is his heart,” Payton said.
McMichael played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993 and is second only to Dent on the Bears’ all-time sack list with 92 1/2. His final NFL season was with Green Bay in 1994.
Three years ago, McMichael announced he was diagnosed with ALS and has struggled with a number of health issues since then.
He was readmitted to hospital in April after returning from intensive care in February.