Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael will not make the trip to Canton, Ohio, later this summer for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, according to his longtime publicist, Betsy Shepherd. McMichael in 2020 was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and, in the best interest of his health, a decision has been made for him not to travel.
McMichael, 66, is part of a seven-member class for the Hall of Fame, which includes former Bears Devin Hester and Julius Peppers. McMichael was voted in as a Hall of Famer in February after receiving recommendation from the Hall’s senior committee.
“In the NFL world we’ve known he should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago,” McMichael’s wife, Misty, told reporters at the NFL Honors event in February. “But I wanted the whole word to know. And now, finally, the whole world knows. Forever and ever.”
The Bears will play the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 1 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The enshrinement ceremony will be held two days later. According to Shepherd, the Hall of Fame is making plans to present McMichael with his honor at his home in Homer Glen.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Jarrett Payton would present McMichael for the Hall of Fame. Jarrett’s father, Walter, was McMichael’s teammate for seven seasons, including in 1985 when the team made its iconic run win Super Bowl XX.
At age 12 in 1993, Jarrett Payton presented his father to the Hall of Fame. McMichael was also Jarrett Payton’s coach in 2010 for the Chicago Slaughter in the Indoor Football League.
Hester will be presented for enshrinement by his mother, Juanita Brown. Peppers chose longtime mentor and agent Carl Carey as his presenter.
McMichael, 66, has been in a yearslong battle with ALS, a debilitating affliction. He has lost his ability to move or speak.
During McMichael’s 13 seasons with the Bears he recorded 92½ sacks and was an instrumental part of a run in which the team won five consecutive NFC Central championships from 1984-88, winning 62 regular-season games during that stretch. McMichael also set a Bears record playing in 191 regular-season games, a mark later matched by Olin Kreutz and topped by Patrick Mannelly (245).
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Steve “Mongo” McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019.
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Steve McMichael played in 191 games during 13 seasons with the Bears and retired second on the Bears’ career sacks list with 92.5. He was a member of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl team and made 2 Pro Bowls. Here, McMichael lights up in a smile as he and Jay Hilgenberg leave the field after the Bears victory over Tampa on Dec. 14, 1991, at Soldier Field.
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The Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael (76) in action during the Bears vs Green Bay game in Wisconsin on Nov. 5, 1989.
Ed Wagner Jr / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael played in 191 games during 13 seasons with the Bears and retired second on the Bears’ career sacks list with 92.5. Was a member of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl team and made two Pro Bowl teams.
Bob Fila / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael enjoys a respite on the Bears’ bench, circa 1991.
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Former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael gets help from his wife Misty eating lunch, April 22, 2021, at their Romeoville home. McMichael recently lost use of his arms after being diagnosed with ALS. The new ramp to the garage behind them was built by former teammate Dan Hampton.
John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune
Former Chicago Bears players Steve McMichael, center, and Dan Hampton, right, laugh as they greet each other before the ALS Walk for Life at Soldier Field, Sept. 18, 2021, in Chicago. McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS, received the Les Turner ALS Foundation Courage Award during the opening ceremony.
Ed Wagner Jr. / Chicago Tribune
Bears’ lineman Steve McMichael helps bring down Packer running back Eddie Field Lee Ivery during the first half of Monday’s game in Soldier Field on Oct. 17, 1985.
Bob Fila / Chicago Tribune
Former Bear Mike Tomczak (18) is greeted after the game by the Bears’ Steve McMichael (76), who tackled Tomczak several times during the Bears vs Green Bay game at Soldier Field on Dec. 8, 1991.
Ed Wagner Jr. / Chicago Tribune
The Bucs’ James Wilder is stopped by the Bears’ Steve McMichael (76) and Wilber Marshall during a game in October 1987.
Charles Cherney / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael (76) at Bears Camp in Lake Forest on Aug. 28, 1990.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Steve “Mongo” McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019.
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Steve McMichael performs with other members of “The Chicago 6” in Grant Park on July 25, 2019.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Steve “Mongo” McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019.
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael arrives at an advanced screening of “The “85 Bears” documentary about the Super Bowl XX champions on Jan. 27, 2016, at the AMC River East 21 theater in Chicago. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bears’ win.
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael with his wife Misty at an advanced screening of “The “85 Bears” documentary about the Super Bowl XX champions on Jan. 27, 2016, at the AMC River East 21 theater in Chicago. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bears’ win.
Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune
Former Bears player and Romeoville mayoral candidate Steve McMichael waits to give a TV interview moments after giving a concession speech after losing to incumbent John Noak on April 9, 2013.
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Former Bears football great Steve McMichael, who is now is running for mayor of Romeoville, does at interview in his campaign office on April 2, 2013, in Romeoville.
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Steve McMichael chats with Police Chief Mark Turvey as McMichael attends a Romeoville village board meeting on Jan. 2, 2013. McMichael has announced that he is running for mayor.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael has a laugh before battling Corey Wootton in a mechanical bull riding competition at Union Station in Chicago on March 4, 2011. The event was held to kick off the Professional Bull Riders’ inaugural Chicago Invitational this weekend.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael shows off a copy of his book on the 1985 Chicago Bears during the Chicago Tribune’s Chicago Live! event at the Chicago Theatre Downstairs on Feb. 10, 2011.
Callie Lipkin / Chicago Tribune
Steve McMichael mugs with Mike Ditka at a Bears event in Rosemont on Aug. 1, 2005.
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Steve McMichael joins fellow Bears teammates as the Chicago Bears honored the 1985 team at halftime of a game against the Ravens on Oct. 23, 2005.
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A portrait from 2005 of Steve McMichael with his dog Chula.
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Steve McMichael salutes the fans during the 6th Annual Bears Fan Convention at the Hilton Towers on Feb. 21, 2003.
Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune
Steve “Mongo” McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019.