Chicago Bears/WCW: Steve 'Mongo' McMichael has ALS
Posted by
Remlik (aka Remlik)
Apr 23 '21, 10:49
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WGN-TV in Chicago reported today that former WCW United States Champion and NFL legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael has been diagnosed with ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease. McMichael was first diagnosed in January and announced he will no longer be making public appearances.
“I’m not going to be out in the public any more…you’re not going to see me out doing appearances, hell I can’t even sign my name any more, and everybody’s going to be speculating ‘Where’s McMichael, what’s wrong with him?” McMichael said. “I’m here to tell everyone I’ve been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, so I’m not going to be a public figure any more.”
WGN's report noted that McMichael has lost the use of his hands and is now using a wheelchair to get around. He has only been given several years to live with the debilitating neurodegenerative disease, for which there is no cure,
McMichael played in the NFL from 1980 through 1994 with The New England Patriots, the Chicago Bears and The Green Bay Packers. He was heavily credited for the Bears' Super Bowl win in January 1986.
After retiring, he appeared at Wrestlemania XI as one of Lawrence Taylor's All-Star Players when Taylor faced Bam Bam Bigelow. McMichael debuted for WCW in the Fall of 1995 as a member of the WCW Monday Nitro broadcast team alongside Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff. Using his NFL past as the bridge, McMichael stepped into the ring teaming with Kevin Greene against Ric Flair and Arn Anderson, shockingly turning on Greene and joining the reconstituted Four Horsemen.
McMichael was managed by his then-wife Debra, using her as the crux of a feud with Jeff Jarrett, leading to McMichael winning the United States title from Jarrett at Clash of Champions 35. He also had celebrity wrestling matches with fellow former NFL players Kevin Green and Reggie White. After that incarnation of the Horsemen ran its course, McMichael had a brief feud with Goldberg. When Ric Flair resolved personal issues with the company and returned in October 1998, McMichael once again became a member of the Horsemen. He exited WCW in 1999.
McMichael also appeared at the 2008 Bound for Glory PPV as the referee in a Monster's Ball bout featuring Beer Monet vs. LAX vs. Team 3D vs. Abyss & Matt Morgan.
As noted, There is no cure for ALS. A GofundMe has been launched at this link to assist McMichael with his medical care.
Everyone at PWInsider.com sends our best to McMichael and his family.
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