Former Chicago Bears players Steve McMichael, center, and Dan Hampton, right, laugh as they greet each other before the ALS Walk for Life at Soldier Field Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Chicago. McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS, received the Les Turner ALS Foundation Courage Award during the opening ceremony. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Former Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael has been discharged from the hospital after more than a week of treatment for various health issues, as confirmed by publicist Betsy Shepherd on Friday.
Health Challenges: ALS Battle and Recent Infections
The 66-year-old McMichael, who revealed his battle with ALS three years ago, entered intensive care at a suburban hospital on Feb. 15 due to a urinary tract infection, just one week after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During his hospitalization, McMichael also received treatment for pneumonia and MRSA, a stubborn staph infection that can be challenging to treat with certain antibiotics, according to Shepherd. He will continue to receive around-the-clock nursing care at home and undergo IV antibiotic therapy to address his infections.
“The outpouring of love, support and prayers have helped Steve get through this latest battle,” Shepherd said in a statement. “All he wanted was to get home to [wife] Misty and [daughter] Macy where he feels most comfortable.”
Football Career Highlights
McMichael, a pivotal figure in the Bears’ renowned “46 defense,” earned All-Pro honors during the team’s victorious 1985 Super Bowl season and again in 1987. His illustrious career saw him play in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993, securing the second-highest sack total in Bears history with 92½, behind only Hall of Famer Richard Dent. McMichael concluded his NFL journey with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.
Legacy Beyond the Field
Beyond his gridiron achievements, McMichael’s influence in Chicago persisted long after his retirement. Whether dominating opponents on the field or sharing insights about the Bears on sports talk radio, he remained a prominent figure, affectionately known by nicknames like Ming The Merciless and Mongo, paying homage to the character from Blazing Saddles who famously punched out a horse. He also ventured into professional wrestling for five years during the late 1990s, which further solidified his enduring legacy in the sports world.
This report used information from ESPN.
