Steve McMichael couldn't make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So the ceremony came to him.
Former Bears great battling ALS honored with enshrinement in Canton
McMichael, 65, was hospitalized Thursday night, a spokesperson said.
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael, who is battling ALS, was hospitalized Thursday night, a spokesperson said.
McMichael, 65, was taken to a hospital after experiencing shortness of breath, the spokesperson said. He was listed in stable condition Friday morning.
McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2017. The disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.
Despite his diagnosis, McMichael has remained active in the community and has been a vocal advocate for ALS awareness.
In 2019, McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, he was unable to attend the ceremony in Canton, Ohio, due to his health.
Instead, the Hall of Fame brought the ceremony to McMichael, holding a special enshrinement ceremony at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois.
McMichael's enshrinement was a fitting tribute to a player who was one of the most feared defensive linemen in the NFL during his 13-year career.
McMichael was a key member of the Bears' Super Bowl XX championship team in 1985. He was also named to the NFL's All-Pro team twice and was selected to the Pro Bowl four times.
McMichael's battle with ALS has been an inspiration to many. He has shown courage and determination in the face of a devastating disease.
The Bears released a statement Friday morning saying that they were "saddened" to hear about McMichael's hospitalization.
"Steve is a true Bears legend and we are thinking of him and his family during this difficult time," the statement said.
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