There has been notable progress in the condition of Steve McMichael, a revered figure in the Chicago Bears community, and his family is optimistic that he will be discharged from the hospital and able to return home as early as Tuesday.
McMichael, who is 66 years old and has been diagnosed with ALS, has been receiving medical care in a hospital in the Chicago area since Thursday due to a urinary tract infection.
During his time at Silver Cross Hospital, McMichael unfortunately acquired MRSA, a type of staph infection that can be challenging to treat due to its resistance to certain antibiotics.
Initially, Steve McMichael underwent blood transfusions and a procedure to drain fluid from his lungs, but there has been an encouraging turn of events. Misty, his wife, shared with the AP that the recently elected member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for 2024 is showing signs of improvement, and his family remains optimistic about his potential return home. Misty McMichael expressed admiration for her husband’s resilience, describing him as a tough individual with a unique DNA, affectionately referring to him as “Mongo.” She requested continued prayers and expressed gratitude for the support received thus far.
While McMichael was initially admitted to the hospital with a fever and suspected pneumonia, the family later clarified that it was, in fact, a urinary tract infection (UTI), according to reports from ABC7 Chicago.
Steve McMichael, who publicly revealed his battle with ALS three years ago, had a formidable presence as a defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, playing 13 out of his 15 seasons in the NFL with the team. Throughout his tenure in Chicago from 1981 to 1993, McMichael amassed an impressive 92.5 sacks. He was a key contributor to the legendary “46 defense” under renowned defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, which helped the Bears secure a Super Bowl victory in the iconic 1985 season.
In addition to his tenure with the Chicago Bears, Steve McMichael also played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers before retiring from professional football in 1994. He holds the impressive record for the most consecutive games played as a Bear, appearing in 191 consecutive games.
McMichael’s 92 ½ sacks rank him second on the Bears’ all-time sacks list, trailing only the legendary Hall of Famer Richard Dent.
Following his football career, McMichael ventured into the world of professional wrestling and spent five years with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the late 1990s. During this time, he was a member of the iconic wrestling faction known as the Four Horsemen, further adding to his diverse athletic accomplishments.
