Chicago Bears great diagnosed with degenerative brain disease a year after his death

Steve McMichael died last year - (AP)

Steve McMichael, a pivotal member of the formidable defence that led the 1985 Chicago Bears to Super Bowl victory, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the Concussion & CTE Foundation has confirmed.

McMichael, who passed away last year at the age of 67, had endured a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).