He wasn’t on stage in Canton, Ohio, but former Chicago Bears star Steve McMichael was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in what was an incredibly emotional moment Saturday afternoon.
McMichael was surrounded by his wife, daughter and other members of the Bears defense in 1985 when his bust was unveiled inside his suburban Chicago home. The 66-year-old has been battling ALS for the past several years, which has confined him to his bed and taken away his ability to speak for himself.
Despite that, McMichael received the induction ceremony he deserved in what was perhaps the best part of the 2024 Hall of Fame ceremony. Just watch:
“Steve, we’re here with all your world-champion brothers,” Hall of Famer and former Bears defensive end Richard Dent told McMichael. “In Canton, we have 378 brothers looking for you. You’re on a team that you can never be cut from, that you can never be released from. When you die on this team, you’re still on this team. Welcome home, Steve. You’re in football heaven, forever.”
McMichael spent 15 seasons in the league, all but two with the Bears. The defensive lineman was a staple on Chicago’s defense during his tenure with the club, and helped keep the team in the midst of its Super Bowl victory during the 1985 season. McMichael retired in 1994 after spending one season with the Green Bay Packers. He still ranks fourth in league history among defensive tackles with 95 career sacks.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2020.
“I don’t want ALS to be my legacy,” ESPN’s Chris Berman said from Canton during the ceremony, relaying a message he received from McMichael. “What I did on the field, that’s my legacy. Pushing myself to the limit … beyond what anyone else could.”
McMichael was one of two seniors inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, along with former Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar. In addition to Dent, former teammates Ron Rivera, Mike Singletary, Jimbo Covert, Gary Fencik, Jim Osborne and Marcus Keys were with McMichael at his home for the ceremony.
In addition to McMichael and Gradishar, the rest of the 2024 class inducted Saturday included Patrick Willis, Andre Johnson, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.