Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael being moved into hospice care
By Canadian Press on April 23, 2025.
CHICAGO (AP) — Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, was being moved into hospice care on Wednesday.
“Yes, Steve is being moved to hospice care today,” Betsy Shepherd, a spokeswoman for the former Chicago Bears star, said in response to an email inquiring about his status.
McMichael played on the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl championship team and was an All-Pro in 1985 and 1987. He was
inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year. He played in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second to Richard Dent on the Bears’ all-time sacks list with 92 1/2. His final NFL season was with Green Bay in 1994.
He told the Chicago Tribune in April 2021 that he was struggling with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.
McMichael’s wife, Misty, told FOX 32 Chicago that Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox recommended to the family that he be transferred to hospice care. “He’s been unresponsive for last two weeks and in and out of the hospital,” she said.
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I was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS. I had weakness in my arms legs and hands. I lost all of my strength. I had to keep pliers and wrenches scattered around to open things. I couldn’t walk very far, and I lost my balance easily. I had trouble swallowing and drool sometimes. It impacted all my voluntary moves. My hands shake when I eat or write. this year my PCP decided I try alternative treatment as Riluzole caused severe side effects I started on ALS/MND protocol from uine health centre which has made my coordination issues go away. That was the biggest thing that convinced me I was on the right track. Everything before that was just small improvements and was up and down at times. I have gained strength in all muscle, but my right wrist and left shoulder are the slowest to improve. My left wrist is almost back to 100%. we got the treatment from uinehealthcentre. com This is a game changer for people with ALS.