Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman and WCW wrestler Steve McMichael has revealed that he is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
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(All info coming in from The Daily Mail, at www.dailymail.com.)
As he told the Chicago Tribune in an exclusive interview, McMichael’s diagnosis was confirmed in January. He said he’s disclosing his battle now to explain why he’s withdrawing from the public eye.
‘I want everybody to realize why they’re no longer going to see me around,’ McMichael, 63, told the Tribune.
McMichael is paralyzed from the shoulders down and requires help from his wife, Misty, for much of his needs, according to a GoFundMe page that was set up to help pay for his care.
He now spends much of his time in a high-tech wheelchair and has dropped about 60 pounds. He has lost the ability to lift both arms, and both legs have weakened significantly.
‘They call it Lou Gehrig’s disease. But I didn’t know that was a metaphor,’ McMichael said. ‘Because it’s going to run the bases on you.’
A number of former NFL players have revealed an ALS diagnosis, including former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason. Dwight Clark, famed for ‘The Catch’ with the San Francisco 49ers, died of the affliction in 2018 at age 61.
NFL players are four times more likely to develop ALS, according to Chris Nowinski, a former wrestler and college football player who now works as a neuroscientist and head trauma patient advocate.
McMichael was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round in 1980 and released after playing six games.
The Bears picked him up because of an injury to defensive lineman Brad Shearer, and McMichael wound up playing 191 games for Chicago, helping the team to a Super Bowl XX win over the Patriots.
Later, he became a salary cap victim and was released after 13 years, playing his final season with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.
Despite his short tenure with the Packers, the notoriously humorous McMichael couldn’t resist the opportunity to put down his former rivals in his interview with the Tribune.
‘I thought I was ready for anything,’ McMichael said of his diagnosis. ‘But man, this will sneak up on you like a cheap-shotting Green Bay Packer.’
The Bears inducted McMichael into their Ring of Honor in 2009. In all, McMichael had 95.0 career sacks. He teamed with Dan Hampton to form a dominant pair at defensive end, totaling 41.5 sacks from 1984-88.
After his playing career ended in 1994, McMichael remained a prominent figure, becoming a pro wrestler, making appearances with the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, analyzing the Bears on radio and performing with the band, The Chicago Six.
The group last performed at a park in September.
‘It’s hard to believe that last show is the last time Steve will ever sing with us,’ Hampton told the Tribune. ‘We’re heartsick about this.’
Summary of McMichael’s difficulties…..
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman and WCW wrestler Steve McMichael, 63, has revealed that he is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
McMichael’s diagnosis was confirmed in January. He said he’s disclosing his battle now to explain why he’s withdrawing from the public eye
A number of ex-NFL players have suffered with ALS. Dwight Clark, famed for ‘The Catch’ with the San Francisco 49ers, died of the affliction in 2018 at age 61
Jarrett Payton, the son of McMichael’s former Bears teammate, Walter, launched a GoFundMe page to help Chicago hero. It generated over $23,000 in 16 hours
The Bears inducted McMichael into their Ring of Honor in 2009. He was a member of Chicago’s famed ’46’ defense that helped win Super Bowl XX
McMichael is paralyzed from the shoulders down and requires help from his wife, Misty, for much of his needs, according to a GoFundMe page