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NFL Hall of Famer and former pro wrestler Steve "Mongo" McMichael has been moved to Hospice care. He has been battling ALS for several years and was inducted into Canton with the Class of 2024.
McMichael was a third-round pick in the 1980 NFL Draft. He began his career playing for the Patriots but only spent one season in New England. McMichael was cut before his second season and signed by the Bears. He spent 13 years in Chicago before one final season in 1994 with the Packers. McMichael retired and then pursued a career in professional wrestling. The former defensive tackle is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, playing at Texas from 1976-1979.
His journey into pro wrestling began as a commentator in 1995 for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and became known as the foil to the heel (bad guy) analyst Bobby Heenan. McMichael then began to wrestle and joined the famous Four Horsemen faction. He retired in 1999 and returned briefly as a one-time referee in 2008 for another company, TNA.
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McMichael announced that he was battling ALS on April 23, 2021. Here are the latest updates on McMichael's health.
What happened to Steve McMichael?
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. He played through his entire NFL career and wrestling career without being affected by it. After McMichael announced his battle, he was given the ALS Courage Award from the Les Turner ALS Foundation. He was the first recipient of this award and was honored in a ceremony at Soldier Field.
MORE: Why is Steve McMichael's nickname "Mongo"?
What disease does Steve McMichael have?
McMichael has been battling ALS. Four years from the day that he announced he had it, he is going into Hospice care.
Steve McMichael has been moved to Hospice care. The man put up the fight of fights for the last several years, but lived his dream to be put into the Hall of Fame.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 23, 2025What is ALS?
ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is also known as motor neurone disease (MND) or colloquially known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. It is a neurodegenerative disorder that is unfortunately terminal. ALS eventually forces the individual to lose control over their upper and lower body muscle contractions.
There is no cure. ALS comes with involuntary twitches and muscle atrophy, making it difficult for daily activities like walking, eating, talking and sleeping. Typically, movement into Hospice care tends to be one of the final moves for someone with ALS.
Steve McMichael age
McMichael was born on Oct. 17, 1957. He is 67 years old and has been battling ALS since he was 63.
MORE: Revisiting Steve "Mongo" McMichaels professional wrestling career
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