Steve McMichael has always loved a good party, so it was fitting that many of his former teammates were by his side when it was announced that he would be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 induction class.
McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021was with several members of the famous 1985 championship Bears team when he learned he would become the sixth member of that team to receive a gold jacket and bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.
Richard Dent, who is one of five members of this team already inducted into the Hall of Fame, had the privilege of being the first to inform McMichael of his upcoming induction.
“It’s your turn this time, bro,” Dent told him, via ESPN. “It is your turn.”
In total, about 50 friends, former teammates and family members celebrated the moment with McMichael and his sister Kathy. McMichael’s wife, Misty, was in Las Vegas to accept the honor on his behalf.
Gary Fencik, the tough safety on the 1985 Bears team, was among McMichael’s former teammates who celebrated with him Thursday night.
“Steve and I were both rejected by our initial teams,” Fencik told the Bears’ official website. “I know you never lose that chip on your shoulder because you’ve been cut and it’s really demoralizing. With what he’s accomplished on the field and his personality off the field – which I really appreciated – I’m glad he’s here. and he well deserves this great honor.
Drafted by the Patriots in 1980, McMichael spent only one season in New England before joining the Bears in 1981. He spent his first two seasons in Chicago as a backup before getting 10 starts in 1983 He became a full-time starter in 1984 and was an All-Pro for the ’85 Bears.
McMichael was a Pro Bowler each of the next two seasons and earned his second All-Pro honor in 1987. In total, McMichael played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons in Chicago. He played in 191 consecutive games for the Bears, which remains the franchise record.
Nicknamed “Mongo,” McMichael was a main character on the 1985 Bears team, which remains the franchise’s only Super Bowl winner. In addition to having a larger-than-life personality, McMichael was an integral part of the greatest defense of all time. This defense finished first in the NFL in several major categories, including points allowed, interceptions, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns allowed.
The unit blanked its first two playoff opponents before defeating the AFC champion Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The Bears defense scored a defensive touchdown, forced five more turnovers and held the Patriots to just 123 total yards.
This team will be celebrated again in August when McMichael is officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s an event McMichael hopes to attend himself.
“At this point,” former teammate Dan Hampton told ESPN, “there’s nothing that can be of use to him other than something like this.”