Every year around this time, football fans bear witness to a celebration of the league’s all-time greatest players as they are immortalized in Canton, Ohio, at the NFL Hall of Fame.
It’s hard to imagine a moment more gratifying for a gridiron gladiator than that knock on the door informing them that they’ve ascended to gold-jacket status.
Of course, the exclusivity of the HOF means every year, many more players are left disappointed at the doorstep. That disappointment only multiplies for frequent finalists who’ve been passed over more than once.
Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael Eyes Enshrinement
One such player is legendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael. The man nicknamed “Mongo” was known for his larger-than-life personality and his oversized impact (95 career sacks) as an undersized interior pass rusher.
McMichael retired almost 30 years ago now, but he’s remained in the public eye for myriad reasons.
Ever the showman, McMichael had a nearly five-year run with the pro wrestling promotion WCW as both a color commentator and in-ring competitor. He even captured the company’s United States Championship belt.
He also garnered some attention in July 2010 when he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
But his most recent run with the headlines has been for more somber reasons.
McMichael, who’s been battling ALS for over two years now, was taken into intensive care due to a recent health setback, per this report from Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith.
You might be wondering what this has to do with the NFL Hall of Fame. Well, as noted above, McMichael’s been eyeing enshrinement for some time now. And some recent news helped to uplift him and his family in spite of the harrowing challenges they’re facing.
McMichael was recently named one of 12 senior finalists for the 2024 Hall of Fame class, per PFT. His wife, Misty, spoke about what that honor would mean for both he and his family after the challenges they’ve faced.
“He needs to see himself enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Please pray for him to get through this,” his wife Misty told Larry Hawley of WGN.
McMichael’s 95 career sacks are good for 77th all-time. That compares favorably to other Hall of Fame defenders like Warren Sapp (96.5 career sacks), Bryant Young (89.5), and Howie Long (81).
McMichael was a linchpin on Chicago’s legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning defense. He garnered first- or second-team All-Pro honors a combined five times. That, in conjunction with his larger-than-life personality, makes the fact that he’s not already enshrined something of a surprise.
McMichael’s success came in spite of the fact that, at 270 pounds, he was undersized for the interior defensive line. But he didn’t let that fact deter him. Instead, he used leverage and quickness as an asset, becoming a thorn in the sides of many offensive linemen during his decade-and-a-half in the pros.
McMichael’s success came by virtue of his fiery, competitive nature. You don’t get nicknamed Mongo for backing down from fights. ALS is a tough foe, but so too is McMichael.
After all, he’s got a Hall of Fame induction to attend.
“It means everything to us,” Misty said. “Everybody knows, especially in the NFL world, that he deserves it, that his stats have always been there.”
