Steve McMichael, a star defensive deal with on the Chicago Bears’ famed 1985 Super Bowl championship group whose larger-than-life character made him a fixture within the Windy City for many years and a pure for skilled wrestling, has died following a battle with ALS. He was 67.
McMichael died Wednesday afternoon, his publicist, Betsy Shepherd, advised The Associated Press.
An All-Pro in 1985 and 1987, McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. He performed in a franchise-record 191 consecutive video games from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second to Richard Dent on the Bears’ profession sacks record with 92 1/2. His ultimate NFL season was with Green Bay in 1994.
Whether he was terrorizing opponents or discussing the Bears on sports activities discuss radio, the person generally known as “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo” after the character in “Blazing Saddles” who knocked out a horse remained a outstanding presence in Chicago lengthy after his enjoying days ended. He additionally spent 5 years in skilled wrestling within the late Nineteen Nineties.
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McMichael’s brash character and willingness to say no matter was on his thoughts made him a pure for the squared circle. He started working for World Championship Wrestling at the peak of the “Monday Night Wars” with the World Wrestling Federation, beginning as a coloration commentator and later becoming a member of Ric Flair within the “Four Horsemen” group.
McMichael revealed in April 2021 that he was battling ALS, often known as Lou Gehrig’s illness, which impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire, inflicting lack of muscle management.
“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to finish,” McMichael advised the Chicago Tribune.
