Chicago Bears icon Steve McMichael was rushed to the emergency room on Thursday due to suspected pneumonia, as confirmed by his publicist’s statement.
McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, had previously battled sepsis and pneumonia during a hospitalization in 2023.
This recent hospitalization comes just a week after the announcement that McMichael would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, joining other Bears legends like Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.
During his earlier hospitalization, McMichael’s potential induction into the Hall of Fame became a topic of discussion. His wife of 23 years, Misty McMichael, actively campaigned for his recognition while he was still alive, expressing her hope that his induction would give him the motivation to continue fighting. She started to Patch:
“I hope he stays alive for the next year because I know he will if he gets inducted. I know he’ll stay alive. He’s tough. He’s not human. He probably should have been dead already. The doctors have been giving him six months for a year. But he’s hanging on and I really hope that this gives him the incentive to hang on for another year.”
Misty’s wish was granted just before the Super Bowl.
The Class of 2024 is scheduled to be honored in Canton, Ohio, on August 3rd.
McMichael, renowned for his prowess as a five-time All-Pro defensive tackle, played a pivotal role in the 1985 Bears, a team often hailed as one of the greatest in NFL history.
Not only was he a dominant force on the field, but his resilience and toughness also earned him accolades from his former coach, Mike Ditka, who described him as one of the toughest players he had ever coached.
Beyond football, McMichael’s larger-than-life personality, showcased also in his career as a professional wrestler, endeared him to fans in Chicago and beyond, both during his playing days and in the years since.
