Steve McMichael

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

McMichael's NFL journey began at Freer High School, where he lettered in six sports, though baseball was his preference; as a catcher, he batted .450 in his senior year, attracting interest from the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. After choosing the University of Texas at Austin, he played defensive tackle for the Longhorns from 1976 to 1979, earning consensus first-team All-American honors in his final season and serving as defensive MVP at the 1979 Hula Bowl. Drafted by the Patriots in the third round (73rd overall) of the 1980 NFL draft, he was cut before his second season but signed with the Bears. He led the team with 11½ sacks in 1988 and recorded 108 tackles in 1989. A defining moment occurred in a 1991 game against the New York Jets; with the Bears down 13–6, he forced a Blair Thomas fumble recovered at the New York 36, setting up Jim Harbaugh's game-tying touchdown and eventual overtime victory. Coach Mike Ditka later stated McMichael was the toughest player he had ever coached.

In Their Own Story

In August 2023, McMichael became a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Seniors ballot for the class of 2024, having been previously nominated in 2014 and 2015. On February 8, 2024, he was officially selected, with his sister Kathy delivering his induction speech on August 3, 2024. Members of the 1985 Bears, including 'Samurai' Mike Singletary, Jimbo Covert, and Richard Dent, traveled to his home to celebrate, while Jarrett Payton inducted him into the Hall. His post-football life included a stint as a color commentator for WCW Monday Nitro starting September 4, 1995, where he bickered with Bobby Heenan and brought his dog Pepe to the booth. In April 1996, after Ric Flair hit on his wife Debra, McMichael turned heel, accepting a briefcase of money from Debra and hitting partner Kevin Greene in the head to join The Four Horsemen. He defeated Jeff Jarrett for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship on August 21 during Clash of the Champions XXXV before dropping the title to Curt Hennig at Fall Brawl.

Reader's Guide

McMichael's path to fame began with a unique childhood in Houston; his parents separated before his second birthday, and he adopted the surname McMichael from his mother's husband, E.V. McMichael, though his birth surname remains unreported. He attended Freer High School before moving to the University of Texas, where he was an All-Southwest Conference choice in 1978 and 1979 and team MVP in 1979. In 2007, he became the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter in the Continental Indoor Football League, a role he held until 2013. He also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Romeoville, Illinois. His health declined after an ALS diagnosis in 2021; on April 23, 2025, he was moved into hospice care and passed away the same day at age 67. Before his final days, he remained a regular presence on Chicago sports radio and owned a restaurant in the southwest suburbs of Chicago named after him.

Did You Know?

• McMichael batted .450 as a catcher in his senior year of high school, garnering attention from MLB teams before choosing football.
• He was cut by the New England Patriots after one season but became a cornerstone of the Chicago Bears' defense.
• In 1997, he lost his United States Heavyweight Championship to Curt Hennig during a War Games match where he surrendered to stop an assault on Ric Flair.
• His sister Kathy delivered his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech in August 2024 after he was selected for the class of 2024.
• McMichael died on April 23, 2025, the same day he was moved into hospice care following an ALS diagnosis in 2021.