Pro football Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a legendary member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl-winning team, has passed away after a battle with ALS.

The defensive tackle, who ranks second in franchise history with 92.5 sacks, was 67.

McMichael was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024 but unable to attend the enshrinement due to his ALS battle.

The NFL is heartbroken to hear of the passing of Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer Steve McMichael after a brave battle with ALS.

Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/ENXTqfoqQk

— NFL (@NFL) April 23, 2025

Per ESPN:

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021.

He played one season for the New England Patriots and one with the Green Bay Packers, but it was the 13 seasons in between with the Bears when he made his mark, including playing in a team-record 191 consecutive games. In total, McMichael played in 207 games from 1981 to 1994.

The defensive tackle won a Super Bowl (1985) and was twice selected first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl. He had at least seven sacks in seven straight seasons (1983 to 1989), second among Bears players to Richard Dent’s 10-year streak.

“It’s a cruel irony that the Bears’ Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. “Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve’s family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear.”

On Aug. 3, 2024, some 344 miles west of Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio, McMichael was officially enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bears legend Steve “Mongo” McMichael passed away today after a long battle with ALS, family friend Jarrett Payton announced.

Payton wrote: “With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to… pic.twitter.com/J25d0pH2uo

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2025

WATCH:

A one-of-a-kind personality and Hall of Fame player. Mongo will never be forgotten. 💙 pic.twitter.com/PwVpER1cmH

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 24, 2025

ABC7 Chicago reports:

During his 13 seasons with the Bears, McMichael placed himself firmly in the record books, with the second most sacks in team history and ranks behind only Hall of Famer Richard Dent, and third most tackles. He was a ferocious on-field presence that had no off switch.

But it was after football that the Texas native became synonymous with Chicago, as the city embraced Mongo as a wrestler, performer, coach and radio personality. He even unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Romeoville in 2013. The city affectionately nicknamed him “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo” after the character in “Blazing Saddles” who knocked out a horse.

He was larger than life, with a fearless personality that remained when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, with a 36-month onset.

“I’ve turned into, from the entertainer to just somebody in the house, a fan. I’m so glad football season’s on; I get to sit here and watch games. I had taken for granted and wasn’t watching sports like I used to,” he said at the time. “Don’t take for granted what you’ve got in your life. You’re going to regret it.”

With his wife Misty always by his side, Mongo fought ALS with relentless bravery, returning to Soldier Field in December 2023 to receive the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s first-ever Courage Award.

As his body continued to deteriorate, McMichael never gave up. In January 2024 he got the news he’d been fighting for: the Bears legend was finally selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.