Family of Chicago Bears legend Steve “Mongo” McMichael announce stage 3 CTE diagnosis

Pro Football Hall of Famer died in April 2025 at age 67 after battling ALS

Boston — The Concussion & CTE Foundation today announced that Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears legend, was diagnosed posthumously with stage 3 (of 4) chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) by researchers at the Boston University CTE Center. McMichael, a key member of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl championship team, died in April 2025 at age 67 after a nearly 5-year public battle with ALS.

Misty McMichael is sharing her husband’s diagnosis to help the public better understand the long-term effects of repetitive head impacts and the urgent need to advance research.

“By sharing Steve’s diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS,” said Misty McMichael, Steve’s wife of 25 years. “Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

A 2021 study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Boston University CTE Center study found NFL players are more than four times more likely to develop ALS compared to the general male population. Among former NFL players who died of ALS and had their brains studied at Boston University, including Kevin Turner, Steve Smith, Wally Hilgenberg, Pete Duranko, and Eric Scoggins, all have been diagnosed with ALS and CTE. Steve McMichael followed the research closely while he was alive and pledged to donate his brain to research, saying it was important to him to contribute in any way he could.

“Steve McMichael had severe CTE as well as ALS with TDP-43 inclusions typical for ALS in his brainstem and spinal cord,” said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System. “There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS; in our CTE brain bank, about 6% of individuals with CTE also have ALS.”

“Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so we might have a chance to save ourselves,” said Dr. Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation. “I appreciate all the former athletes, including many of Steve’s ’85 Bears teammates, who are raising funds and volunteering to participate in CTE research so we can create a brighter future for athletes everywhere.”

McMichael will be honored at the Concussion & CTE Foundation’s Race to End CTE event on April 23 in Chicago. More information on how to attend and make a donation in McMichael’s name can be found here.

Former athletes can sign up for multiple ongoing research studies by joining the Concussion & CTE Foundation Research Registry here.