Bears great Steve McMichael improving from staph infection, family hopes to have him home Tuesday

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael is improving after contracting a staph infection at a suburban hospital, and his family hopes he returns home early this week, his wife said Sunday in a statement.

The 66-year-old McMichael, who went public with an ALS diagnosis three years ago, has been hospitalized since Thursday. His family hopes to have him home on Tuesday, wife Misty McMichael said.

Meanwhile, it was a packed house on Sunday at PB&J in Fulton Market with first responders battling in a cook-off for the Fifth Annual Recipe Challenge. The event raises money for families of firefighters who have passed away.

But the event holds a little more significance this year, as they've dedicated it to McMichael.

"We know he's fighting this tremendous battle," said Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief Tony Martin. "We got good news today that he's responding well to treatment, which is pretty cool."

McMichael was admitted into intensive care on Thursday - a week after being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame - with a urinary tract infection. The family announced Saturday he had developed MRSA, a staph infection that can be difficult to treat because it is resistant to certain antibiotics, and was undergoing a blood transfusion.

His wife, Misty, shared an update on Sunday, saying, "Steve is responding to the antibiotics and his condition is improving. We hope to have him home on Tuesday with IV antibiotics. He's one tough guy. He's Mongo, and his DNA is different."

Mongo's supporters brought out all the funky foods on Sunday, Mixing PBR beer with tacos and putting bacon on cupcakes.

"We're all pulling for him, and we're all hoping he gets out of the hospital very soon," said Betsy Michna.

"That guy's got as much heart as most teams by himself, so just to see him battling this, knowing the battler he is, we're all just wishing him the best," Martin said.

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez was one of the celebrity bartenders pouring up drinks while others sold off raffle tickets.

One family even came in from Michigan to show their support.

"We heard about the event, good cause, good food, decided to give it a shot," said Stephen, who attended the event. "My father passed away as a firefighter, so I know the feeling a family goes through."

The event came to a close again with great proceeds to firefighters' families and toward McMichael's fight.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.