OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – Relatives, friends and former Bears teammates paid their respects to Steve "Mongo" McMichael during a private celebration of life service Thursday at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home in Oakbrook Terrace.
The gregarious Texan, a Bears defensive tackle from 1981-93 who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last August, passed away April 23 at the age of 67 after a four-year battle with ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a progressive neurological disease with no known cure.
A warrior on and off the field, McMichael appeared in a Bears-record 191 consecutive games. He ranks second in team history with 92.5 sacks, helped the franchise win six division titles and was an instrumental part of a 1985 Super Bowl XX championship defense that many consider to be the best in NFL history.
Members of the '85 Bears who attended Thursday's service included Hall of Famers Jimbo Covert, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary, as well as Kevin Butler, Gary Fencik, Mike Hartenstine, Dennis McKinnon, Jim McMahon, Emery Moorehead, Dan Rains, Henry Waechter and Otis Wilson.
Other former teammates on hand included Roland Harper, Bruce Herron, Tom Hicks, Jim Osborne, James Thornton and Tom Waddle.
The Bears were represented by chairman George H. McCaskey, President and CEO Kevin Warren, executive vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion & chief impact officer Tanesha Wade, vice presidents Patrick McCaskey and Brian McCaskey, director of equipment Tony Medlin, director of community and alumni relations Matt Simeone, manager of community outreach and alumni relations Kate Rackow, community outreach and alumni relations specialist Jessica Noonan and head groundskeeper Ken Mrock.
Also in attendance was pro wrestling superstar Ric Flair, a longtime friend who teamed with McMichael as part of WCW's iconic "Four Horsemen."
McMichael's casket was draped with a large flower arrangement. It was flanked by his Hall of Fame bust and a replica of the Super Bowl XX trophy on one side and his Hall of Fame gold jacket on the other. There were three flags on the wall above representing the Bears, the state of Texas and the University of Texas, McMichael's alma mater.
The ceremony began with popular Chicago entertainer John Vincent, a longtime friend of McMichael's, singing an a cappella version of Frank Sinatra's song, "My Way."
McMichael's widow, Misty, and daughter, Macy, were then presented with a Hall of Fame flag that flew at half-staff in Canton, Ohio, after he passed away and a Hall of Fame medallion.
Hampton followed with an emotional speech that was reminiscent of the one he delivered at Soldier Field Nov. 6, 1999, following the passing of beloved Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton.
Hampton described McMichael as "the greatest teammate," stating that he gave his all and asked for nothing in return from those he played with other than the will to win. Hampton added that McMichael was "bigger than life, and at the end he inspired everyone with his incredible courage."
To honor the late Steve McMichael, ChicagoBears.com takes a look back at photos of the former Bears defensive tackle over the years.
Singletary was next to speak. The Hall of Famer lauded McMichael for his selflessness; the defensive tackle did the dirty work in the trenches, often occupying two blockers to free up linebackers Singletary, Wilson and Wilber Marshall to make plays.
"What made the '85 team great was a player like Steve who didn't care about anything but winning," Singletary said.
Fighting back tears, Misty followed by paying tribute to her husband.
"I had the best life because of him," she said. "He was the best man I've ever known."
Jarrett Payton, son of the legendary running back, then shared his memories of Mongo. McMichael coached Jarrett with the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team in 2010 and hand-picked Jarrett to interview him on WGN-TV when he went public with his ALS diagnosis in 2021.
There were few dry eyes in the room when Jarrett closed by saying that he knew his father would be the first person to greet McMichael in heaven.
As the casket was wheeled out of the funeral home and placed in a hearse, a somber version of "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" was played on a bagpipe. Covert, Dent, Fencik, Hampton, Singletary and Wilson served as pallbearers.
"It was a really wonderful service having teammates like Dan and Mike speak," Fencik said. "It's tough. With every one of these types of events, you really shake hands and hug a little more intently."
