Posthumous CTE Diagnosis for Chicago Bears Legend Steve McMichael Highlights Link to ALS

The legacy of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, a cornerstone of one of the most feared defenses in NFL history, has taken on a new, sobering dimension. The Concussion & CTE Foundation announced that the Hall of Fame defensive tackle has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), one year after his death.

McMichael passed away in 2025 at the age of 67 following a grueling five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The diagnosis comes after his wife, Misty McMichael, made the decision to donate his brain to research in hopes of uncovering the connection between repetitive head trauma and motor neuron diseases.

“Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death,” Misty McMichael said in a statement. “I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

The Science of Repetitive Head Trauma

CTE is a degenerative brain disease typically found in individuals exposed to repetitive head impacts, including contact sport athletes and combat veterans. Given that the disease can only be diagnosed posthumously, it often remains a hidden factor during a player’s life and illness. The condition is known to manifest through impulsive behavior, depression, and violent mood swings.

For the medical community, McMichael’s case provides critical data. Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, noted that there is “strong evidence” linking repetitive brain trauma to the development of ALS. According to a 2021 study conducted by the Boston University CTE Center and Harvard Medical School, NFL players are more than four times more likely to develop ALS than the general male population.

While the overlap is not universal, We see significant. Dr. McKee stated that approximately 6% of individuals within the brain bank who have CTE also suffer from ALS.

A Dominant Force in Chicago

To fans of the Chicago Bears, Steve McMichael was more than just a statistic; he was a personality and a powerhouse. Known affectionately as “Mongo” and “Ming The Merciless,” McMichael was a vital component of the dominating 1985 defense that propelled the Bears to a Super Bowl victory.

His durability was legendary. Between 1981 and 1993, McMichael played a franchise-record 191 consecutive games. He finished his tenure in Chicago as one of the most productive pass rushers in team history, recording 92.5 career sacks—a total second only to Richard Dent on the Bears’ all-time list.

A two-time All-Pro, McMichael’s contributions to the game were officially immortalized when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. After a final NFL season with Green Bay in 1994, he transitioned into a career in professional wrestling, maintaining the larger-than-life persona that made him a fan favorite in the Midwest.

Understanding the Implications

The intersection of ALS and CTE raises urgent questions about the long-term health of retired professional athletes. While ALS is a progressive disease that attacks motor neurons, the presence of CTE suggests that the structural damage caused by concussions and sub-concussive hits may play a role in the neurological decline of former players.

For those unfamiliar with the terminology, it is helpful to distinguish between the two: ALS affects the nerves that control voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis, while CTE is a tau protein buildup in the brain that affects mood, memory, and behavior. The fact that they are appearing together in a subset of NFL veterans suggests a systemic vulnerability caused by the nature of the sport.

As researchers at the Associated Press and other medical institutions continue to track these trends, the focus remains on prevention and earlier detection for current players.

The donation of Steve McMichael’s brain serves as a catalyst for future studies, potentially helping the medical community understand why certain athletes are predisposed to these devastating neurological conditions. For the sports world, it is a reminder of the physical toll exacted by the game’s most violent eras.

The Concussion & CTE Foundation is expected to continue releasing findings as part of their ongoing research into the link between repetitive brain trauma and ALS.

Do you think the NFL is doing enough to protect current players from long-term neurological damage? Share your thoughts in the comments below.