Former NFL star Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael battling ALS

Steve McMichael #76 of the Chicago Bears removes his helmet during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 30, 1990 Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Former NFL star, pro wrestler Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael battling ALS

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 23, 2021 3:08 PM ET

Former Chicago Bears star defensive tackle Steve "Mongo" McMichael was a two-time All-Pro who was part of the 1985 Chicago defense seen by many as the greatest in NFL history that helped propel the Bears to a dominant Super Bowl XX victory over the New England Patriots.

After he called time on his playing days, McMichael joined World Championship Wrestling, where he became a member of the beloved Four Horsemen stable.

This week, the 63-year-old told WGN’s Jarrett Payton that he's battling ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

"I’m not going to be out in the public anymore…you’re not going to see me out doing appearances. Hell I can’t even sign my name anymore, and everybody’s going to be speculating ‘Where’s McMichael, what’s wrong with him?" McMichael explained during the interview. "I’m here to tell everyone I’ve been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, so I’m not going to be a public figure anymore."

McMichael added that he's lost the use of his arms and hands since he was first diagnosed in January, and that the Bears provided him with a customized wheelchair. He receives daily assistance from his wife, Misty.

As Michael David Smith wrote for Pro Football Talk, the ALS Association says more research is needed to determine if there's any link between playing football and the disease. Steve Gleason and Dwight Clark are among other well-known players who have been diagnosed with ALS over the years.

Those wishing to help McMichael can visit a GoFundMe page, Obvious Shirts and the Team Mongo website.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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