Steve McMichael, Bears legend, among 3 senior finalists for Hall of Fame while battling ALS
Misty McMichael shared news Wednesday
HOMER GLEN, Ill. (WLS) -- There was big news for fans of Bears legend Steve McMichael Wednesday.
The defensive lineman learned he's one of the final three being considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Each finalist requires 80% approval from a vote that will be held early next year by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's full 50-person selection committee to be part of the class of 2024, the Hall of Fame said in a tweet.
It's been an all-out blitz by family members and former teammates to get the Super Bowl champ honored at the same time as he battles ALS.
It's the call that Misty McMichael said has kept her husband, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, going for the last couple years.
Even though ALS has left him bedridden and unable to speak or feed himself, the former Bears star still wears his 1985 Super Bowl ring.
His mind is fully engaged, and the Hall of Fame means the world to him.
Misty McMichael can hardly contain her excitement when talking to her husband of 22 years about the Hall of Fame.
She got the call from the Hall of Fame senior committee Tuesday afternoon, letting her know Steve made the cut.
She held a party to celebrate Tuesday night, but had to wait to share the news.
The Hall of Fame insisted she keep it quiet until the official announcement at noon Wednesday.
"It's given us a mission for something else to focus on besides death. It's given us life and another year with him, and I can't ask more than that," Misty McMichael said. "It's happening, finally happening. We waited a long time. He has. I just want him to be able to die in peace."
McMichael made an appearance at his party Tuesday night by Zoom.
Longtime Bears writer Dan Pompei is on the Hall of Fame committee, and made the case for McMichael to the other voters.
He said for him this was not a sympathy vote because of McMichael's condition.
"I guess I'd like to think that there might have been divine providence involved because this is the way things are supposed to be," he said.
McMichael has been eligible for the Hall of Fame for 25 years. And Pompei said this is the first time the other voters have discussed his case.
The Bears are planning a celebration at their season opening game next month.
The new inductees will be introduced before the Super Bowl.
Some of McMichael's supporters are already planning to see him enshrined in the Hall of Fame. They have organized a caravan to Canton next August.
