The family of Steve McMichael, the newly selected Pro Football Hall of Famer, is asking for prayers after the former Chicago Bears great contracted another infection while already in the hospital.
McMichael is suffering from ALS . Jarrett Payton, the son of Bears great Walter Payton, released a statement from the family Saturday to update McMichael’s condition.
“Steve is currently getting a blood transfusion and has MRSA,” the statement said. “We are asking for your prayers to get Steve through this difficult time. Steve, his family and close friends believe in the power of prayer. Thank you.”
McMichael was hospitalized Thursday for what doctors initially believed was pneumonia. The diagnosis then changed to a urinary tract infection. That infection responded to antibiotics and the McMichael family said, via a statement, that they anticipated him being able to return home within the next several days.
In the past two days, McMichael has received a blood transfusion and had fluid removed from his lungs.
He now has MRSA, a staph infection that is difficult to treat because it is resistant to so many antibiotics. People sometimes get it while in the hospital, with the bacteria entering the body at the site of an IV or an incision.
Steve McMichael confirmed in 2021 that he had ALS
The 66-year-old from Freer, Texas, confirmed in 2021 that he had ALS, which is commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. It’s a degenerative condition of the nervous system that eventually takes away a person’s ability to move, eat and then breathe. ALS is fatal.
McMichael played defensive tackle for the Bears. He was part of the 1985 Chicago defense that many believe was the best ever in the NFL. Chicago won the Super Bowl and its smothering 4-6 defense dominated opponents all season.
McMichael was a two-time, first-team All Pro. He retired from the league in 1994, but continued his sports career. McMichael became a pro wrestler and then worked as a wrestling analyst on TV. He also wasn’t finished with football. McMichael also was head coach of the Chicago Slaughter, a team in the Indoor Football League. He also served as a co-host for a Bears pre-game show.
Before Chicago, the colorful McMichael starred for the Texas Longhorns. He made the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2009. And his friends and family began pushing for him to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Hall announced the class of 2024 on Feb. 8. McMichael made it via a vote from the senior committee. His wife, Misty, represented Steve McMichael at NFL Honors, then at last Sunday’s Super Bowl.
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