Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael realized a life-long dream when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 3.
Suffering from the ravages of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, McMichael is unable to walk or talk.
A member of the Fred Mitchell Award selection committee since 2009, McMichael was considered the glue to the vaunted 1985 Super Bowl XX champion Bears defense. That defense included Hall of Famers Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary and Richard Dent.
McMichael’s sister, Kathy, read a brief speech on behalf of Mongo that was heard by the crowd assembled at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
“Chicago Bears fans and Mongo fans. Woohoo, I’m in the Hall of Fame, baby!” she read. “I want to thank the Hall of Fame, the Senior Selection Committee, the Chicago Bears, and all the fans. The best fans in the world and the best city to play football in.
“I played 15 years in the NFL and loved every minute of every down. I played with the greatest players in the NFL and the greatest defense to this day, baby. I want to thank all my teammates. It’s an honor to join my teammates: Walter Payton, Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Jimbo Covert, Coach (Mike) Ditka, Coach (Buddy) Ryan, and all the Bears before us. I’d like to say a special thank you to my pseudo-son Jarrett Payton for introducing me.
“I want to thank my family, my father Mac, my brother Richard, my sisters Sharon and Katherine Denise…To my wife Misty, thank you for giving me my beautiful daughter Macy. And to Macy, you’ll always be my little girl, daddy loves you.
“And finally, to my mother. We made it, Mama, your baby made it! Thank you.”
Celebrations for McMichael’s Hall of Fame recognition were held throughout Chicago, including at the Butcher’s Tap sports bar on the north side of the city. Chicago Bears legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael’s Hall of Fame dream comes true this weekend. Betsy Shepherd, McMichael’s longtime publicist spearheaded the campaign to get McMichael inducted as hundreds of letters flooded the Hall of Fame offices. McMichael had dubbed Shepherd his “super agent” many years before the dreadful illness decimated his body.
The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class also included former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar, Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
A celebration was held on behalf of Steve McMichael at Butcher’s Tap sports bar in Chicago as his agent, Betsy Shepherd (right), celebrates with friends.
Left: Jarrett Payton, son of the late Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton, presented Steve McMichael for induction. Right: Todd Wilkins (right) traveled to Canton, Ohio to help salute one of his favorite Bears players.
Steve McMichael has been a member of the Fred Mitchell Award selection committee for 15 years and is shown here with 2009 winner Jeff Schebler from Wisconsin-Whitewater.