Former Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael is facing a new health challenge as he undergoes a blood transfusion after being admitted to intensive care at a suburban Chicago hospital, his family announced on Saturday.
Diagnosis and Hospitalization
The family said McMichael — who went public with an ALS diagnosis three years ago — contracted MRSA, a staph infection that can be difficult to treat because it is resistant to certain antibiotics.
“We are asking for your prayers to get Steve through this difficult time,” the family said. “Steve and his family and close friends believe in the power of prayer. Thank you for your love and continued support for our Mongo.”
McMichael, 66, was hospitalized Thursday with what was initially thought to be pneumonia. He was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. The family said Friday he was responding well to antibiotics and undergoing lung fluid removal. However, his health took a turn for the worse, necessitating a blood transfusion.
This development comes shortly after McMichael’s election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Despite this honor, his health struggles persist, with his induction scheduled for August 3 alongside former Bears Julius Peppers and Devin Hester.
McMichael’s Previous Health Struggles
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune in April 2021, McMichael revealed his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a condition affecting nerve cells controlling muscles in the body.
“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end,” McMichael told the Tribune.
Impact on Chicago Bears
McMichael’s impact on the Bears, particularly during the 1985 Super Bowl championship season, is undeniable. As a key player in the famed “46 defense,” he earned All-Pro honors and played a record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993. Additionally, he holds the second-highest sack count in Bears history, behind Hall of Famer Richard Dent, with 92½ sacks. He concluded his career with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.
Continuing Influence in Chicago Sports Culture
Even after retiring from football, McMichael remained a prominent figure in Chicago sports culture, whether through his analysis on sports talk radio or his reminisced dominance on opponents during his playing days. He also spent five years in professional wrestling in the late 1990s.
This report used information from the Associated Press.
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