NEW LENOX, Ill. — Former Chicago Bears great Steve 'Mongo' McMichael received a blood transfusion and was diagnosed with MRSA Saturday, according to an update from the family.
"Steve McMichael is currently getting a blood transfusion and has MRSA. We are asking for your prayers to get Steve through this difficult time. Steve and his family and close friends believe in the power of prayer," Saturday's update read.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MRSA — or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus — is a cause of staph infection that is difficult to treat because of resistance to some antibiotics.
By Sunday, he was responding well to the antibiotics and his family hopes he will be back home on Tuesday.
McMichael was originally rushed to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox on Thursday, with him 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.
In an update Friday, family said McMichael's condition was improving and they anticipated him being released from the hospital over the next few days.
McMichael and fellow former Bears great Devin Hester were both announced as members of the class of 2024 to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame back on Feb. 8.
The man often known as Mongo was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) back in Jan. 2021, and has been battling the disease with the help of his wife Misty at their Homer Glen home ever since.
According to the ALS Association, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
”Amyotrophic” comes from the Greek language. "A" means no. "Myo" refers to muscle. "Trophic" means nourishment. So, amyotrophic means "no muscle nourishment,” and when a muscle has no nourishment, it "atrophies" or wastes away.
Misty has often attributed McMichael being able to fight the disease for so long because he wanted to see the day he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and see his bust unveiled in Canton, Ohio.