The Pro Football Hall of Fame released big news this week. They’d narrowed a list of potential senior candidates to 31 semifinalists ahead of the 2024 class induction. Tucked away on it was none other than Steve McMichael. When looking back at Chicago Bears history, he might be the most glaring omission from Canton. His 95 sacks rank him 4th-best among defensive tackles in NFL history. He anchored one of the best defensive lines ever and was part of the iconic 1985 Super Bowl championship team. There is literally nothing he failed to accomplish.
That is what Hall of Famers are. Yet for whatever reason, the Canton voters kept him out. This is the closest he’s ever been. It’s not a moment too soon. McMichael is battling the terrible disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Most people know it as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. There is no cure. That means McMichael is on borrowed time. It would be incredible if the voters put him in before he passes.
Apparently, the news of becoming a semifinalist alone was wonderful for him. Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s longtime teammate Walter Payton, caught the reaction on video.
It is a beautiful and tragic moment for Steve McMichael.
This isn’t the guy most Bears fans grew to recognize. McMichael has always been larger than life, both in stature and personality. People forget how big he was. To see him bedridden and so thin is a sobering reminder of how dangerous ALS is. Yet at the same time, it’s clear he remains persistent in his fight against it. Delivering a smile like that tells you he is still in there. Fighting to end this disease should remain at the forefront of people’s minds everywhere.
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Until then, celebrating what Steve McMichael accomplished is the best thing to do. Put him in the Hall of Fame. Some will argue he didn’t accomplish enough to earn such an honor. Yet those same people will defend the likes of Joe Namath, Troy Aikman, Cliff Branch, Paul Hornung, and Richard Seymour. None of those guys put up anything close to special numbers. Yet somehow, they’re in. McMichael was far more productive for far longer. If it’s about productivity and accomplishments at all, then he belongs.
Put this great man and Chicago Bear in HOF. If you had a chance to see this great man play the game that he loved and played so well you know he belongs in the HOF. I didn’t know that he had 95 sacks from the tackle position and it’s 4th all time. He deserves better than this and should have been in the HOF long before now. This man played on one of the greatest if not the greatest defense of all time. Do the right thing by Steve Mongo McMichael and give him his yellow jacket and let… Read more »
The Bears need to make this happen. IDGAF. Our dude Mongo is on the clock and his exploits for whatever reason are not recognized. I realize it’s tough to shine on that Bears D back then with so many stars but Steve was one of the best and it should be a priority of the league to recognize this man for the contribution he put forward so we all know his story before his story comes to a sad end. The story needs to have a silver lining. A place in Canton so all fans will know his name.
Sports Mockery, I find it hard to believe that you can do NOTHING about GloraWilliam!!
“His 95 sacks rank him 4th-best among defensive tackles in NFL history.” He was ranked #1 when he retired in 1994. Since then, John Randle, Warren Sapp and Aaron Donald have surpassed him. But sack numbers for an interior lineman were probably never celebrated until the likes of these defensive tackles showed up and changed the game. Honestly, Mongo is probably the victim of being part of a historic team. Deserving players fell through the cracks as voters probably experienced voter fatigue where the ’85 Bears were concerned. Coach Ditka (1988, but as a player), Payton (1993) and Singletary (1998)… Read more »
I was thinking about how Steve has been doing when they announced this. I’m glad to see he is still aware and to see his reaction is awesome. He deserved this a LONG time ago.
and FUCK YOU GLORA!!!!!