Steve McMichael, a Hall-of-Fame defensive tackle with the Chicago Bears who later enjoyed a second career as a celebrated professional wrestler, has died. He was 67.

McMichael had since 2021 been suffering from ALS, which left him unable to speak and requiring around-the-clock care. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024.

Longtime friend Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s legendary Bears teammate Walter Payton, announced McMichael’s death via social media.

“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones,” Payton wrote. “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers.”

Born Oct. 17, 1957, in Houston, McMichael was a two-time All-Southwest Conference selection at Texas, earning and a unanimous All-America honors as a senior in 1979. He was selected in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft by New England, but was released after just one season.

McMichael latched on with the Bears in 1981 and started 101 consecutive games at one point. A strapping 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, he was a key member of Chicago’s 1985 Super Bowl championship defense, considered by many to be among the best in NFL history.

Nicknamed “Mongo” after the brutish character from the classic comedy Western film Blazing Saddles, McMichael was twice selected first-team All-Pro and three times made the second team, and also played in two Pro Bowls during his 13 seasons with the Bears. He retired after spending the 1994 season with the Green Bay Packers, finishing his career with 95 sacks, an extraordinarily high total for an interior defensive lineman.

McMichael then transitioned into professional wrestling with first WWE and then WCW, beginning as an announcer and guest commentator who would often “brawl” with the in-ring talent. After becoming a full-time performer, he had memorable turns as a tag team partner with fellow football-player-turned-wrestler Kevin Greene and also as a member of one iteration of the legendary “Four Horsemen” team with Ric Flair, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko.

McMichael left wrestling in 1999, save for a brief return as a guest referee with the Total Nonstop Action promotion in 2008. In later years, he worked in radio, coached an indoor football team, unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Romeoville, Ill., sang in an oldies rock n’ roll band and made numerous appearances at reunions and special events with other members of the 1985 Bears.

Due to his ALS diagnosis, McMichael was unable to travel to Canton, Ohio, for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction last summer. Several former teammates — including fellow Hall-of-Famers Richard Dent, Dan Hampton and Mike Singletary — delivered McMichael’s Hall-of-Fame bust and gold jacket to him at his home on the day of the ceremony.

McMichael is survived by his wife, Misty, and teenage daughter, Macy.