Steve McMichael, a former defensive end who won a Super Bowl with the Chicago Bears in 1986, was hospitalized and admitted to intensive care, his family said.
The announcement about McMichael’s health comes a week after the 66-year-old former NFL star was named a 2024 member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
On Thursday night, McMichael’s publicist announced that the former NFL star had been hospitalized with suspected pneumonia. “We’re asking for prayers for Steve McMichael,” his publicist told NBC Chicago affiliate WMAQ-TV. “He’s going to the ER now… We’ll let you know when we have more information.”
McMichael’s family later released a statement clarifying that it was not pneumonia. “Steve is battling a urinary tract infection,” the family wrote, according to WMAQ and Sports Illustrated. “He is on three antibiotics and being admitted to intensive care tonight. We appreciate the continued prayers for Steve’s speedy recovery. Thank you!”
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in January 2021 and has since scaled back his public life.
The former athlete’s wife, Misty McMichael, who has been his primary caregiver in recent years, told Patch earlier this month that she believes he will fight to stay alive long enough to see his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Steve McMichael, former Chicago Bears Super Bowl champion, diagnosed with ALS
Steve McMichael.
AP Photo/Scott Boehm
“I hope he stays alive for the next year because I know he will if he’s accepted,” she said. “I know he will stay alive. He is tough. He is not human. He probably should have been dead by now.” “The doctors gave him six months to a year,” she continued, adding: “But he’s holding on and I really hope that gives him the push to hold on for another year. ”
A favorite in Chicago, McMichael was part of the 1985-86 Chicago Bears team whose defense is considered one of the best units ever assembled. The ’85 Bears are also considered one of the NFL’s greatest teams, as they posted a 15-1 regular season record en route to beating the New England Patriots 46-10 in the Super Bowl.
The team, which gained notoriety outside the sports world for its “Super Bowl Shuffle” rap, shut out the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Bears outscored their opponents 91-10 that postseason, anchored by their defensive play.
My two dads Star Staci Keanan remembers Dick Butkus after his death: ‘Gentle, sweet, quiet man’ (Exclusive)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(682x19:684x21)/Steve-McMichael-8ccfefa38a51448399c66a3d061cd7a4.jpg)
Steve McMichael. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
McMichael played for the Bears for 13 seasons, also playing for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers during his 15-year career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, and was named one of the 100 best Chicago Bears players of all time.
After his NFL career, McMichael became a professional wrestler and joined World Championship Wrestling in 1995, once winning the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship. He feuded with the likes of Ric Flair and Jeff Jarrett on screen before retiring from wrestling altogether in 1999.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
After announcing his ALS diagnosis in 2021, McMichael received an outpouring of support — especially in Chicago. The Bears adapted a team-provided wheelchair for him, and a GoFundMe raised more than $205,000 to help cover his health care costs.
“When I think about Steve as a player, as a teammate, reliable,” said Mike Singletary, another Bears Hall of Fame middle lineman who played alongside McMichael for more than a decade from 1981-92.
He added: “Steve would be what you would call a blue-collar guy. He was a team guy. As a player, he was the best. You could always count on him to do his job and be where he needed to be. I really believe that that’s one of the things he prided himself on being reliable and a teammate.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education