Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday and appeared on the video board during the ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
McMichael was in his hospital bed, wearing his bronze Hall of Fame jacket and surrounded by loved ones, and was unable to attend the celebration because his battle with ALS has left him bedridden.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Steve McMichael is presented with his Hall of Fame bust surrounded by his former teammates during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio on August 3, 2024. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“You can never be taken off the team. You can never be fired. You’re always on this team, even if you die. Welcome back, Steve. You’re in football heaven forever,” former Bears star Richard Dent said.
Misty McMichael wept as she pointed her husband toward the bronze bust.
“That’s you forever, baby,” she said.
McMichael, nicknamed “Mongo,” was a standout defensive tackle for the Bears from 1981 to 1993. He also played for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers before finishing his 15-year NFL career.
Misty McMichael, wife of former NFL player Steve McMichael, unveils a bust of him from her home during the induction ceremony on a video screen at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins injures knee but won’t need surgery
He recorded 847 total stacks and was a key part of the fearsome Bears defense in 1985. He played a Bears franchise-record 191 consecutive games and was second in sacks with 92.5 during his time with Chicago.
“I want to thank the Chicago Bears, the fans and the greatest city to play football in,” Cathy McMichael said in a speech they prepared together before her brother was no longer able to move or speak. “I played in the NFL for 15 years and enjoyed every minute of every down, playing with some of the best players and best defenses to date.”
McMichael also competed in World Championship Wrestling and was a United States champion.
Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 (from left, Andre Johnson, Patrick Willis, Devon Hester, Misty McMichael (with husband Steve McMichael), Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar and Julius Peppers) pose after receiving their gold jackets during the Gold Jacket Dinner on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024 in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jean J. Puskar)
Click here to get the FOX News app
He announced in 2021 that he had been diagnosed with AL.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital X’s sports coverage subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
