The moment that many Chicago Bears fans have been waiting for is finally here. Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class. McMichael has been on the ballot for a few years now and narrowly missed the call. As announced at Thursday's NFL Honors event, he will be inducted into Canton with countless other Bears legends.
McMichael was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft. After spending just one season with New England, McMichael found himself in Chicago. He then spent 13 seasons with the Bears and one season with the Green Bay Packers before calling it a career. With the Bears, McMichael was a two-time All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowler, and Super Bowl champion with the infamous 1985 team.
Across 15 NFL seasons, McMichael accumulated 847 total tackles, 95.0 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, 17 fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. He also ranks third all-time in sacks for a defensive tackle behind Warren Sapp and John Randle. McMichael was one of the premier defensive tackles for most of the 1980s and early 1990s. Now, he'll join former teammates Jimbo Covert, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary, and Walter Payton in Canton, Ohio.
McMichael has been battling ALS since 2021. Unfortunately, the disease has severely weakened McMichael to the point that he can barely move. During the tough time, his family and the Bears fan base have rallied around 'Mongo' and campaigned for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Whether it was simply his time to join the greats in history or the campaigning done by those who loved him as a player and man, Mongo will be immortalized in Canton, Ohio forever.
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