Steve McMichael is a Hall of Famer. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael was taken to the emergency room Thursday with suspected pneumonia, his publicist said.
On Friday, Jarett Payton, the son of legendary Bears running back Walter Payton, gave an update on the 66-year-old's condition. According to Payton's social media post, McMichael is doing better after being given antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. He will undergo surgery to remove fluid from his lungs and hospital officials expect his release in the next few days.
“Thank you for all the prayers,” Payton added.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and was hospitalized with sepsis and pneumonia back in 2023.
McMichael's latest hospitalization comes just seven days after it was announced that he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2024 class, joining fellow Bears players Devin Hester and Julius Peppers on the list.
His candidacy became the talk of the town during his previous hospital stay, when he was one of 12 semifinalists considered by the Hall's senior committee. Misty McMichael, Steve's wife of 23 years, openly advocated for her husband's honor when he was alive via Patch:
“I hope he stays alive for the next year because I know he will if he gets inducted,” Misty McMichael told Patch earlier this month. “I know he will stay alive. He Is hard. He is not human. He probably should have been dead already. The doctors have given him six months for a year.
“But he’s hanging in there and I really hope this gives him the motivation to keep going for another year.”
Days before the Super Bowl, Misty got her wish.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is scheduled to be enshrined on August 3 in Canton, Ohio.
McMichael, a five-time All-Pro at defensive tackle, was a founding member of the 1985 Bears, a team still considered one of the greatest in NFL history. Not only was “Mongo” a dominant force on offense, Mike Ditka described him as one of the toughest players he had ever coached.
His personality, which was evident in his career as a professional wrestler, made him a fan favorite in Chicago then and now.