SUMMARY
- Steve McMichael is a former NFL player who played as a defensive tackle for 15 seasons.
- Jarret Payton posted on his X account that McMichael, who is battling with ALS, is hospitalized.
Steve McMichael, originally known as Stephen Douglas McMichael, is a well-known sports figure. He is a former NFL player and played as a defensive tackle for 15 seasons. Popularly called ‘Mongo’ also had a career in professional wrestling and made an appearance at WrestleMania XI.
Steve began his pro wrestling career after retiring from his football career in 1994. He was seen at the ringside in WWE for Lawrence Taylor at WrestleMania 11 in 1995. After this, he worked for four years as a color commentator at World Championship Wrestling.
Steve McMichael becomes the first WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and Four Horsemen member to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. @Danlaw83 @CraigLiggeons pic.twitter.com/dLpafZds1A
— Dana Holtzbert (@DanaHoltzbert) February 9, 2024
He fought his first singles match against Joe Gomez at the Bash at the Beach. He feuded with Ric Flair and was a part of the faction ‘The Four Horsemen’ led by the Nature Boy alongside Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit. In 1997, he had his first title victory against Jarret and became the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion.
Requesting prayers for Mongo from The McMichael Family. #Bears 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lRiJ1bMqxV
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) February 15, 2024
Recently, sad news broke out regarding the 66-year-old superstar. Steve McMichael is hospitalized due to suspected pneumonia. Jarret Payton, who is also a former NFL star, posted on his X account about the news. He wrote, “Requesting prayers for Mongo from The Michael Family” and the post explained how Steve was going to the emergency room with suspected pneumonia.
Steve McMichael has been battling with ALS
Steve McMichael has not been quite well lately; he has been battling with a serious disease in recent years. In an interview with Jarret Payton, Steve said that he is fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a kind of progressive nervous system disease that damages the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
This leads to a loss of muscle control, and Steve has also lost both his arms due to this. He was diagnosed with ALS in January 2021. In 2023, he was hospitalized and went to the intensive care unit because of sepsis. The legend has been troubled with health problems in recent years.
Steve McMichael’s NFL career
Before becoming a professional wrestler, Steve McMichael had a good run as an NFL player. He started his football journey at college, where he played for the Texas Longhorns and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 1980 NFL Draft. His early stint with the Patriots didn’t last long, and he was cut before his second season with the team.
He was then signed to the Chicago Bears in 1981 and helped them win the Super Bowl in 1985 as a defensive tackle. Steve was named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl teams for the 1986 and 1987 seasons. He was selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.