- Steve McMichael also undergoes a procedure to drain fluid from his lungs.
- Former defensive tackle responding well to antibiotics for UTI
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Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael is improving after being hospitalized with a urinary tract infection, sepsis and pneumonia amid his battle with ALS, his family announced.
McMichael, 66, a star defensive tackle on the Chicago Bears’ famed 1985 Super Bowl championship team, was taken to intensive care Thursday night.
McMichael, affectionately known as Mongo, is improving after being given antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection, according to Jarrett Payton, son of legendary Chicago running back Walter Payton.
The former tackle’s family also confirmed that McMichael was responding well to treatment, while revealing that he is also undergoing a procedure to drain fluid from his lungs.
“Steve is responding to antibiotics administered for the treatment of his UTI,” the family wrote in a statement, via NBC’s Mike Berman.
Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael improves after being hospitalized with a UTI
McMichael spent 13 of his 15 seasons with the Bears and was All-Pro in 1985 and 1987.
His family posted an update on Friday, announcing that the former tackle was improving.
‘He is also undergoing a procedure known as thoracentesis to remove fluid from his lungs.
‘Steve is expected to be released from hospital in the coming days. Continued prayers are appreciated.”
His wife, Misty McMichael, had revealed in a instagram Post that her husband was hospitalized Thursday night. “Prayers for Mongo,” read a photograph of former number 76.
McMichael spent 13 of his 15 seasons with the Bears and was All-Pro in 1985 and 1987.
He played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second behind Richard Dent on the Bears’ all-time sacks list with 92 1/2. His last season was with Green Bay in 1994.
McMichael is one of 12 players whose last appearance was no later than 1998 in the mix for induction into the Hall of Fame next year.
He played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993 for the Bears.
The selection committee will narrow that list to up to three, and finalists will be part of the class of 2024 if they have the support of at least 80% of voters next January.
Whether he was terrorizing opponents or talking about the Bears on sports radio, McMichael remained a prominent presence in Chicago long after his playing days ended.
He became known as ‘Ming The Merciless’ and ‘Mongo’ after the ‘Blazing Saddles’ character who knocked out a horse.
McMichael also spent five years in professional wrestling in the late ’90s.