Bears Legend Steve McMichael Diagnosed With CTE After Death at 67
Hall of Famer Steve McMichael, the defensive tackle who anchored one of the most feared defenses in NFL history with the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl champions, has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the Concussion & CTE Foundation announced. McMichael died last year at 67 following a five-year battle with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
A Devastating Pattern Emerging in the NFL
McMichael's diagnosis adds to a growing and troubling trend. His wife, Misty McMichael, released a statement through the foundation that cut right to the heart of the issue: "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."
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiThe data backs up her concern. According to a 2021 study conducted by Harvard Medical School and the Boston University CTE Center, NFL players are more than four times more likely to develop ALS than other men. That's not a coincidence. That's a crisis.
Understanding What CTE Does to the Brain
CTE is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans, and others exposed to repetitive head trauma. The effects are brutal. It causes violent mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression. The cruel part? It can only be diagnosed after death. You can't see it coming. You can only confirm it after it's already done the damage.
Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, noted that approximately 6% of individuals have been diagnosed with CTE in research studies, though the full scope of the problem remains unclear.
McMichael was a cornerstone of one of football's greatest defenses. Now his legacy includes something far more serious than championships: a call for research into what the game he dominated may have cost him.
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