Chicago Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael diagnosed posthumously with CTE
ABC7 Chicago • • sports
Key Points:
- Steve "Mongo" McMichael, Chicago Bears legend and NFL Hall of Famer, was posthumously diagnosed with stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death in April 2025 at age 67.
- McMichael was a key member of the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl-winning team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
- Researchers at Boston University's Concussion and CTE Foundation confirmed McMichael had severe CTE alongside ALS, highlighting the link between repetitive brain trauma and the development of ALS.
- Misty McMichael, Steve's wife, donated his brain to research to raise awareness about the connection between CTE and ALS, noting many NFL players develop ALS during life and are diagnosed with CTE posthumously.
- Dr. Ann McKee emphasized that about 6% of individuals with CTE in their brain bank also have ALS, supporting evidence of a strong relationship between brain trauma and neurodegenerative diseases.
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