NEW LENOX, Ill. (WLS) — Chicago Bears legend and Hall of Famer Steve “Mongo” McMichael remains hospitalized Friday after being admitted to the intensive care unit for an infection.
A family spokesman said McMichael was taken by ambulance to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox on Thursday after he developed a fever and appeared very lethargic. They said he was being treated for a urinary tract infection.
While the family initially said McMichael was taken to the hospital with suspected pneumonia, they released a statement just before 8:30 p.m. saying he had an infection instead.
McMichael has lived with ALS for years. The latest medical scare comes a week after he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He played 13 seasons for the Bears and made the Pro Bowl in five of them. McMichael's wife Misty traveled to Las Vegas for the ceremony on his behalf.
Former Bears teammates from the 1985 Super Bowl championship team stayed behind to watch alongside McMichael.
Mongo's last hospitalization was in August, when he battled sepsis and pneumonia for nearly a week.
McMichael communicates through a special device that follows eye movements. He made it clear how much the Hall of Fame means to him.
Mongo waited years for the Hall of Fame Senior Committee to select him. He had plenty of support from Bears fans, including many from Homer Glen, where McMichael now lives.
His family hopes Mongo will be strong enough to travel to Canton, Ohio, later this summer to be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. They ask all his long-time fans to pray that he heals quickly from this medical setback.
The NFL has agreed to cover the medical costs necessary to send Mongo to the ceremony in person.