Chicago Bears Icon Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael Identified with CTE After Passing

In a poignant revelation that underscores the ongoing dialogue about player safety in professional football, Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the iconic Chicago Bears star, has been diagnosed posthumously with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This announcement comes following his passing last year after a courageous fight against ALS.

On Tuesday, the Concussion Legacy Foundation at Boston University disclosed that McMichael was found to have stage three of four CTE, a degenerative brain condition often linked to repeated head injuries. The diagnosis adds a layer of complexity to the narrative of McMichael’s life and career, highlighting the physical toll of professional football.

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Steve McMichael, who left an indelible mark on the NFL, died in April 2025 at the age of 67. He was a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears’ victorious 1985 Super Bowl team and earned his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, a testament to his prowess on the field.

Reflecting on her late husband’s legacy, Misty McMichael, who stood by his side for 25 years, expressed the family’s intention behind sharing this diagnosis. “By sharing Steve’s diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS,” she stated. “Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

This development serves as a somber reminder of the potential long-term health risks associated with professional football, emphasizing the critical need for ongoing research and dialogue within the sports community.

“Steve McMichael had severe CTE as well as ALS with TDP-43 inclusions typical for ALS in his brainstem and spinal cord,” said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System. “There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS; in our CTE brain bank, about 6% of individuals with CTE also have ALS.”