The Pro Football Hall of Fame released big news this week. They’d narrowed a list of potential senior candidates to 31 semifinalists ahead of the 2024 class induction. Tucked away on it was none other than Steve McMichael. When looking back at Chicago Bears history, he might be the most glaring omission from Canton. His 95 sacks rank him 4th-best among defensive tackles in NFL history. He anchored one of the best defensive lines ever and was part of the iconic 1985 Super Bowl championship team. There is literally nothing he failed to accomplish.
That is what Hall of Famers are. Yet for whatever reason, the Canton voters kept him out. This is the closest he’s ever been. It’s not a moment too soon. McMichael is battling the terrible disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Most people know it as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe. There is no cure. That means McMichael is on borrowed time. It would be incredible if the voters put him in before he passes.
Apparently, the news of becoming a semifinalist alone was wonderful for him. Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s longtime teammate Walter Payton, caught the reaction on video.
It is a beautiful and tragic moment for Steve McMichael.
This isn’t the guy most Bears fans grew to recognize. McMichael has always been larger than life, both in stature and personality. People forget how big he was. To see him bedridden and so thin is a sobering reminder of how dangerous ALS is. Yet at the same time, it’s clear he remains persistent in his fight against it. Delivering a smile like that tells you he is still in there. Fighting to end this disease should remain at the forefront of people’s minds everywhere.
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Until then, celebrating what Steve McMichael accomplished is the best thing to do. Put him in the Hall of Fame. Some will argue he didn’t accomplish enough to earn such an honor. Yet those same people will defend the likes of Joe Namath, Troy Aikman, Cliff Branch, Paul Hornung, and Richard Seymour. None of those guys put up anything close to special numbers. Yet somehow, they’re in. McMichael was far more productive for far longer. If it’s about productivity and accomplishments at all, then he belongs.
