HOF Selection Steve McMichael improving, could leave hospital Tuesday

Former Chicago Bears great and Hall of Fame selection Steve McMichael is reportedly improving from a staph infection, and his family hopes he leave the hospital for home as soon as Tuesday, McMichael's wife said in a statement to the Associated Press on Sunday.

"He's one tough guy," McMichael's wife, Misty, told the AP. "He's Mongo and his DNA is different! Keep those prayers coming! Thank you!"

McMichael, 66, was rushed to the hospital Thursday with what was thought to be pneumonia. He was later diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and responded well to antibiotics. He was expected to leave the hospital in a matter of days until the diagnosis of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, reported by his family on Saturday.

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 and has battled other health issues since, including sepsis and pneumonia.

Jarett Payton, the son of Bears great Walter Payton, has been sharing information from the McMichael family on X. On Sunday afternoon, Payton posted, "Great news — Mongo is feeling better and he's responding well to the antibiotics. The hope is to have him back at home on Tuesday. Please keep sending up your thoughts and prayers for Steve and his family."

The longtime Chicago Bears defensive tackle, known to friends and teammates as "Mongo," appeared in 191 games with the Bears over 13 seasons. He began his career with the New England Patriots in 1980 and finished it with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.

In between, McMichael was a member of the famed 1985 Bears Super Bowl championship team and a two-time All-Pro.

For his career (213 games), he totaled 95 sacks, 847 tackles, 13 fumbles forced and 17 fumble recoveries.

McMichael is set to be inducted into the Hall in Canton, Ohio alongside other Bears stars Devin Hester and Julius Peppers in August.

—Field Level Media