Bears great defensive tackle Steve McMichael is one step closer to being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McMichael was named one of three senior finalists for the Hall of Fame following a vote on Tuesday. While McMichael still needs to be voted through into the Class of 2024 — which will happen in February — the three semifinalists, also including Randy Gradishar and Art Powell, are all but guaranteed to be voted into the Hall.
McMichael, known as “Mongo,” was a force during his 13-year career with Chicago, where he played a huge role in the dominance of the 1985 Bears. McMichael was a two-time First Team All-Pro, three-time Second Team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. His 92.5 career sacks ranks second in franchise history, behind only Richard Dent (124.5).
Many of McMichael’s former teammates, including Richard Dent, have argued he should already be in the Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, McMichael has been battling ALS for the last couple of years. He revealed his diagnosis in April 2021, and he’s now fully paralyzed and lost his voice. But his wife, Misty, revealed that his push for the Hall of Fame has helped extend his life. Now, he’s one step closer to joining his Bears brothers in Canton.
As you can imagine, Bears fans were quite excited by the news that McMichael is now on the precipice of being enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Bears fans are overjoyed about Mongo being named a senior finalist
WOOOOOOO CONGRATS TO MONGO!!!!!! https://t.co/21wyqTXYK8 pic.twitter.com/xuqljLlz5C
— Chicago Honey Bear 🟧 (@ChiHoneyBear) August 23, 2023
IT'S OFFICIAL.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame senior committee has recommended Steve McMichael for the Class of 2024. It's now a near certainty Mongo gets his enshrinement ceremony next August. Gold jacket. Bust. Legend status for eternity.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) August 23, 2023
Good for Mongo! https://t.co/c1MTmBsIWU
— Steve Morck (@YourBoyStove) August 23, 2023
SO STOKED FOR STEVE 🙏 https://t.co/2SQSg7suhX
— James Davis (@CoachDavis_MCHS) August 23, 2023
STEVE MCMICHAEL IS THE DEFINITION OF A HALL OF FAMER pic.twitter.com/M5zx4IBaeq
— BearDownBeatMM (@GopherTheW) August 23, 2023
Congrats to Mongo & his family https://t.co/46FP6WQRLU
— 79th & Halas Podcast (@79thAndHalas) August 23, 2023
Long overdue, get him in the Hall. https://t.co/rt8c3GqAtD
— Pete (@Pete_Martuneac) August 23, 2023
MONGO! LITERALLY FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE RIGHT NOW!! TRUE WARRIOR! PRO WRESTLING LEGEND. 85 BEARS BEST TEAM EVER TO PLAY FOOTBALL! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 GET WELL SO YOU CAN GET YOUR JACKET! BEAR DOWN!! https://t.co/062DEis1wf
— Justin (@dersy1017) August 23, 2023
As a kid Mongo and Dan Hampton holding down the Bears d line in Ryan's 46 defense was a sight. Really developed my love for the game https://t.co/3dg6RSkZev
— DX (@DXTex) August 23, 2023
Damn right! Mongo deserves it, both as a player and as a human!#DaBears #NFL https://t.co/g7NANOlKRX
— Tony (@jaycTony) August 23, 2023
A long overdue honor. McMichael belongs in Canton https://t.co/N9kTk8AWOl
— Jon – I dont pay FF or your fees (@IrishHusker5) August 23, 2023
GET. HIM. IN.
ONE final push, #BearsNation!!! https://t.co/REAp3QltBO
— Owen “O.T.” Timothy (@ChiSportzKid) August 23, 2023
Great news!!! Made my day! https://t.co/emFs9SMagA
— All sports (@lovesports9191) August 23, 2023
4th ALL-TIME in sacks for DT's. https://t.co/7zjLupAiV7
— Nicky G (@NickyGsCards) August 23, 2023
#Breaking: The legendary Steve 'Mongo' McMichael is now a step closer to immortality! He's 1 of 3 Senior finalists for the @ProFootballHOF class of 2024. What a amazing day! So privileged to be here w/ him on this milestone moment. #Bears 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/MiyrevaRXp
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) August 23, 2023
Prayer have been answered! Yes. Yes. Yes. #TeamMongo 🐻⬇️ https://t.co/wGSBAee95e pic.twitter.com/n2keskMe5V
— Terence M. Young (@Terence_M_Young) August 23, 2023
Justice has been served. Steve is a Hall of Famer measured by any metric. He belongs in Canton.
Bravo!!!!🙏💪 https://t.co/SngkQndsCv— Tom Waddle (@TWaddle87) August 23, 2023
Great news for Mongo! https://t.co/LE6b64H8Kc
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 23, 2023
Ric Flair should get to give Mongo’s speech https://t.co/OS0MrMvjFe
— Jaymes (@JaymesL) August 23, 2023
For the love of God, PLEASE vote for Steve McMichael before it’s too late! https://t.co/S0YPxwSEXz
— Michael Elam (@mjcornettefan) August 23, 2023
Great news for former #Bears DL Steve McMichael as he was named one of 3 seniors finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame along with #Broncos LB Randy Gradishar and WR Art Powell. This makes it a near certainty Mongo will be part of the Hall's Class of 2024.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 23, 2023
WELL DESERVED! IM SO HAPPY … Thank you all who voted for #TeamMongo https://t.co/0w8sYKfllp
— 🌊🐬♡ (@beachskymtn) August 23, 2023
Awesome news, and well deserved for an all-time #Bears great. https://t.co/A7zh26HGiy
— TW (@Tylow237) August 23, 2023
This is fantastic news! #TeamMongo https://t.co/wRM1n6dMCa
— Paul Johnson (@ByPaulJohnson) August 23, 2023
Gone are the days of Bronco Nagurski 🤔 Steve McMichael played 191 straight games for the Chicago Bears a franchise record. Impressive you say and that is true. But don’t you dare forget the Bears training camp with Buddy & Ditka, 2 a days and zero, “brother in laws” Iron Man !!!
— Michael W. Knauss (@34sweetnessfan) August 23, 2023
