In a touching Hall of Fame induction ceremony, former Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael, battling ALS, was honored from his home in Chicago. Surrounded by loved ones and teammates from the ’85 Bears, including Hall of Famers Richard Dent, Mike Singletary, and Jimbo Covert, McMichael, looking frail, donned his gold jacket.
Dent, Super Bowl 20 MVP, spoke emotionally, “Steve, you’re here with all of your world champion brothers. You’re in football heaven now.”
Known for his larger-than-life personality, McMichael, a WCW wrestler post-retirement, was a key player in the iconic ’85 Bears defense. A third-round pick from the University of Texas, he spent most of his career in Chicago, amassing 95 sacks and 847 tackles.
Jarrett Payton, son of Bears legend Walter Payton, introduced McMichael, whom he referred to as his “pseudo son.” In a heartfelt speech read by his sister Kathy, McMichael expressed pride in his on-field accomplishments, stating, “What I did on the field, that’s my legacy – pushing myself to the limit, yessir … farther than anyone else could.”
