Steve McMichael, the legendary defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer, left an indelible mark on the world of American football. His remarkable career with the iconic 1985 Chicago Bears, which included a Super Bowl XX championship, earned him top honors and cemented his place in the annals of NFL history.
The Tragic Diagnosis: CTE After Death
However, a year after his passing in April 2025, McMichael’s wife, Misty, received the devastating news that her husband had been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma. The diagnosis was made possible by the donation of McMichael’s brain to the Concussion and CTE Foundation for research purposes.
Misty McMichael expressed her hope that her husband’s diagnosis would shed more light on the connection between CTE and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a disease that claimed Steve’s life. She noted that there are
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