Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael is in intensive care after being hospitalized in the southwest suburbs Thursday night, according to his publicist.
McMichael, 65, was admitted due to sepsis and was unconscious upon arrival. He was administered antibiotics intravenously and, as of Friday morning, was awake with improving vital signs. He is also battling pneumonia.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in January 2021 and has lost the ability to move or talk.
A core starter on the Bears iconic 1985 Super Bowl championship defense, McMichael played 191 consecutive regular season games and 12 playoff contests during his 13 seasons with Chicago. In 15 NFL seasons overall, he recorded 95 sacks, the fourth highest total among defensive tackles of all-time.
Earlier this month, McMichael drew closer to potential induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when a list of 31 Seniors Committee semifinalists was cut to 12. McMichael made that list along with, in alphabetical order, Ken Anderson, Maxie Baughan, Roger Craig, Randy Gradishar, Joe Jacoby, Albert Lewis, Eddie Meador, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Otis Taylor and Al Wistert.
On Aug. 22, McMichael’s case will again be presented to the Seniors Committee. At least one — and up to three — Seniors nominees will then be selected to the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, whose enshrinement ceremony will come in August 2024.
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McMichael still holds the Bears record for regular-season games played by a position player, a mark he shares with Olin Kreutz. His 13-season run with the team is the fourth longest of any player, trailing Patrick Mannelly (16), Doug Buffone (14) and Bill George (14).
McMichael’s wife Misty has emphasized what being selected to the Hall of Fame would mean to her husband.
And in a statement issued by McMichael’s publicist, Misty said, “He needs to see himself enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Please pray for him to get through this.”
