RD80s News: NFL Hall of Famer Steve "Mongo" McMichael passes at 67

(Photo Courtesy: People Magazine)

National Football League Hall of Fame football legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael has passed away at the age of 67 on April 23, 2025.  The Texas native was once known as a "wild man" on the football field as his 6'2", 270 pound stature created angst to the opposing teams.  His career began as a third round draft in 1980 by the Patriots.  Just one year after, he became a free agent in Chicago, IL but was not a starter for the Chicago Bears until 1983.

His franchise-record of 191 consecutive games spanning 1981-1993, seven sacks in seven seasons along with a team/career-high 11.5 sacks in 1988, 44 tackles in 1985 were all magnificent feats.  After his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, he moved over to the Green Bay Packers for one more year before shifting his career to the World Championship Wrestling as a color commentator and a tag team partner , and later revival, with NFL player Kevin Greene.

McMichael's final career jump was serving as head coach to the indoor football team Chicago Slaughter.  Unfortunately, he met his ultimate defeat as he announced in April 2021 that he was battling Lou Gehrig's disease (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ALS).