RIP Bears Legend Steve McMichael

RIP Steve "Mongo" McMichael, the legendary Bear who was a part of the magical 1985 team. I didn't mean to bring up ALS twice in 3 days, but I won't talk about it much because it is not what he should be remembered for.

"I do not want ALS to be my legacy. What I did on the field, that's my legacy. Pushing myself to the limit ... farther than anybody else could."

So, let's talk about his legacy on the field. McMichael was drafted by the Patriots in the third round in 1980. He spent his rookie year with them until he was released before his second season. The Bears picked him up as a free agent in 1981. Once on the Bears, he was a key factor of the "46" Defense that is considered by many to be the best defense ever.

He holds a franchise record 191 games and 157 starts and ranks 2nd just behind Richard Dent for the sack record for the Bears. A Super Bowl Winner, two-time Pro Bowler and first team All-Pro, McMichael was considered a force of nature on the field and teddy bear jokester off the field.

He ended his career with one season on the Packers in 1994, but he liked to joke that the only reason he signed with them is that so he could take their money and defeat them from the inside.

He was often overshadowed by other Hall of Famers on that 1985 team, like Dent and Singletary, but don't get it twisted, he was very instrumental to that team's success. Ditka considers him to be the toughest guy he has ever coached.

Prior to 2024, McMichael was nominated twice for the Hall of Fame, but ultimately never made it past the 1st cut of candidates. Once he was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, his wife started campaigning for his enshrinement. He signed a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form before his condition got really bad, but once he found out he was a finalist in August he told his wife to rip up the form until he found about the decision. His publicist even said it was the last thing he asked for before losing his ability to speak. She asked if there was anything that she could do for him and he whispered, "hall of fame."

"Steve McMichael told everyone he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed for 15 seasons in the National Football League. And he did just that," Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO Jim Porter said in a statement.

Finally, on August 3, 2024, McMichael was officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame from his home surrounded by his family and former teammates Richard Dent, Ron Rivera, Mike Singletary, Jimbo Covert, Gary Fencik, Jim Osborne and Marcus Keyes. Although his bust was unveiled in his home, Jarret Payton was the official presenter in Canton calling McMichael the "special sauce" on that 1985 Bears defense and a "Force of nature with a big personality and an even bigger heart."

RIP Ironman, my thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved you.