NEW LENOX, Ill. — After being admitted to the ICU Thursday night, former Chicago Bears great Steve 'Mongo' McMichael's condition is improving, the family said in an update Friday.
"Mongo’s condition is improving with the antibiotics administered for his UTI. Additionally, he is undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from his lungs. Hospital officials anticipate his release in the next few days. Thank you for all the prayers," read the update family provided WGN's Jarrett Payton.
McMichael was rushed to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox Thursday, with him being initially suspected of having a pneumonia. After being admitted to the hospital's emergency room, he was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection and prescribed a series of antibiotics to combat the UTI.
McMichael and fellow former Bears great, electric return man Devin Hester, were elected to the NFL Hall of Fame last Thursday, Feb. 8.
McMichael — a defensive tackle who played 15 seasons in the NFL — spent 13 of them with the Bears, where he accumulated 92.5 of his career 95 sacks, good for third all-time among NFL defensive tackles behind John Randle (137.5) and Aaron Donald (111).
The defensive tackle was a dominate member of the Bears’ vaunted 46 defense during the 1985 Super Bowl season, and an iron man at that, having started 191 consecutive games in a Bears uniform, still a franchise record. After his playing career, McMichael went on to become a professional wrestler for WWF and WCW.
Back in Jan. 2021, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has been battling the disease with the help of his wife Misty at their Homer Glen home ever since, with Misty often citing him so ardently fighting the disease so that one day, he could see his bust unveiled at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.