CHICAGO (WLS) — Legendary Chicago Bears defensive tackle Stephen “Mongo” McMichael has died at age 67 after a battle with ALS, a family spokesperson confirmed to ABC7 Wednesday.

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McMichael waged battles on the football field, dismantling opposing quarterbacks with strength and intimidation that helped bring the Lombardi trophy to Chicago as a member of the 1985 Bears.

And that is how the former defensive tackle wanted to be remembered.

McMichael, who controlled the interior of the line for the Bears’ famed “46 defense,” was an All-Pro during the 1985 Super Bowl championship season and in 1987. He played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981-1993. His final season was with Green Bay in 1994.

During his 13 seasons with the Bears, McMichael placed himself firmly in the record books, with the second most sacks in team history and ranks behind only Hall of Famer Richard Dent, and third most tackles. He was a ferocious on-field presence that had no off switch.

But it was after football that the Texas native became synonymous with Chicago, as the city embraced Mongo as a wrestler, performer, coach and radio personality. He even unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Romeoville in 2013. The city affectionately nicknamed him “Ming The Merciless” and “Mongo” after the character in “Blazing Saddles” who knocked out a horse.

MORE: Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael officially inducted into Hall of Fame from his Homer Glen home

He was larger than life, with a fearless personality that remained when he was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, with a 36-month onset.

“I’ve turned into, from the entertainer to just somebody in the house, a fan. I’m so glad football season’s on; I get to sit here and watch games. I had taken for granted and wasn’t watching sports like I used to,” he said at the time. “Don’t take for granted what you’ve got in your life. You’re going to regret it.”

With his wife Misty always by his side, Mongo fought ALS with relentless bravery, returning to Soldier Field in December 2023 to receive the Les Turner ALS Foundation’s first-ever Courage Award.

As his body continued to deteriorate, McMichael never gave up. In January 2024 he got the news he’d been fighting for: the Bears legend was finally selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

McMichael’s induction was the crowning moment of a hall of fame life on and off the field.

He is survived by his wife Misty and daughter Macy.

Tributes pour in for Bears legend

While Bears fans remember McMichael for his toughness and tenacity on the gridiron, his longtime friends remembering him for his strength off the field.

Friend reminisced on a video of “Mongo” taking to the mic with other 1985 Bears teammates at a fundraising event years ago.

“When he showed up at the party, he was the party,” longtime friend Mike Namoff said.

Mike and Johnny Namoff are remembering their friend of two decades for the life he brought to others.

“When Steve showed up, he’s a legend,” Mike Namoff said. “It’s like Muhammad Ali walking in the room in Chicago.”

The charity organizers got to know McMichael during the many events he volunteered for, and years later at the charity events they hosted in McMichael’s honor.

“He was fighting as long as he possibly could,” Johnny Namoff said. “And it was time. It was time for him to meet Walter [Payton] today.”

Their most cherished moments with McMichael were watching his Chicago Bears teammates rally around him all the way to the Hall of Fame.

Mike Namoff photographed an intimate moment shared between McMichael and former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon.

“And it’s a very special one to my heart, because I caught a moment,” Mike Namoff said.

The Namoffs said ALS may have taken over McMichael’s body, but they said it never touched his bright spirit.

“They’re gonna know him as a Hall of Famer,” Mike Namoff said. “They’re gonna know him as the Chicago Bear legend Mongo. They’re gonna remember him as the wrestler from the Four Horsemen.

His friends called him a fighter up until the very end.

“His pain is over. He’s with God,” Johnny Namoff said. “It’s an amazing day for Chicago, because one of its own went home.”