Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMahon passed away last year, at the age of 67. But a group of researchers has now brought light to another condition McMichael had been suffering from.

The Concussion and CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) has confirmed that the late DT also suffered from CTE, while he was battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). His wife, Misty McMichael, shared a statement to advocate for better care for NFL players. 

“By sharing Steve’s diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS,” Misty, his wife of 25 years, said. “Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

The foundation also stated that research conducted by Boston University's CTE center diagnosed Steve McMichael with stage three CTE. The illness has four stages.

CTE is a progressive, degenerative brain disease caused by repeated trauma to the head, and can be diagnosed only after death. As per a 2021 study by Harvard Medical School and the Boston University CTE Center, NFL players are four times more likely to develop ALS compared to other men. 

Apart from McMichael, other former NFL players who also suffered from ALS-CTE were Kevin Turner, Steve Smith, Wally Hilgenberg, Pete Duranko, and Eric Scoggins.

Steve McMichael was a force to be reckoned with on the field and helped Chicago to its only Super Bowl win. Today, he is remembered as a veteran athlete who excelled in multiple sports.

A look at Steve McMichael’s Glorious Career Across Two Hard-Hitting Sports

Steve McMichael was actually signed by the New England Patriots after college. But he was cut from the roster in 1981, his second season in the league. Chicago picked him up as a free agent and did not look back.

Nicknamed “Ming the Merciless,” McMichael is best remembered for his stint with the Bears, with whom he also won the Super Bowl in 1985. He played in 191 consecutive games from 1981-93, which is a franchise record. The DT recorded a whopping 92.5 sacks in his time with the Bears. 

Mike Ditka, then the head coach of Chicago, called McMichael the toughest player he'd ever coached. The late DT was a four-time Pro Bowler and played his final NFL season in 1994 with Green Bay. He then picked a career in pro wrestling.

Steve McMichael was part of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and also won the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. He was part of the Four Horsemen Stable, a very famous wrestling stable at that time.

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and was transferred to hospice in 2025. Unfortunately, he passed away on the same day he was moved. Tributes came from both the NFL and wrestling communities in honor of the legendary athlete.

Let us know your favorite memories of the famed DT in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Afreen Kabir