Former UT, Bears star McMichael among Hall’s 2024 class
Former University of Texas and Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael, who has been battling ALS for more than three years, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McMichael joined Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis, Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney, Chicago kick returner Devin Hester and Denver linebacker Randy Gradishar in the 2024 class.
McMichael, from the South
Texas town of Freer, spent three years at Texas from 1976-79 and was a consensus All-American and All-SWC choice in 1978 and 1979. He was drafted in the third round in 1980 by New England but was cut after his rookie season and then picked up the Bears.
McMichael controlled the interior of the line on the Bears’ famed “46 defense” that is considered by many to be the best ever after leading Chicago to an 18-1 record and allowing only 10 points in three playoff wins in 1985. McMichael had 95 career sacks as a defensive tackle, was selected as an All-Pro in 1985 and ’87 and was a second-teamer two other times.
McMichael, 66, has lost the ability to speak or move, but when he recently received the news that his Hall of Fame entry had been approved, he opened both eyes widely as acknowledgment.
He will become the sixth Bears player from the 1985 Super Bowl champions to have a bust in Canton, joining Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent and Jimbo Covert.
The coach of that team, Mike Ditka, is also in the Hall and forever valued McMichael’s intelligence and high level of give-adamn, two qualities that earned him widespread respect from coaches, teammates and opponents — no matter how oafish, bombastic and easily distracted McMichael acted when adopting the caricatured persona of “Mongo.”
“We all always think of how loud and vocal he would be as a character off the field,” former Bears safety Gary Fencik told the Chicago Tribune. “But on the field, Steve was a guy who took immense pride in just doing his job. Never complained. Never needed the outside recognition. He just relished in being such a strong complement to the rest of our defensive players. He was just very reliable. Always a very reliable teammate.”
That sense of accountability helped McMichael play 191 consecutive regular-season games in 13 seasons as a Bear, plus 12 playoff games.
Within McMichael’s inner circle, there’s a belief that the revival of his Hall of Fame quest in recent years provided added purpose to his fight with ALS. That’s partly why Thursday’s official recognition will resonate so profoundly.
“We’re all so pleased for Steve,” ex-Bears safety Fencik said. “It’s an incredible honor to even be considered for the Hall of Fame. But to actually make it in? It’s amazing.”