Chicago Bears Legend Diagnosed with CTE After ALS Death

Steve McMichael's posthumous CTE diagnosis highlights the link between head trauma and neurodegenerative diseases.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:16pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, conceptually representing the devastating effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.A cubist interpretation of the physical toll of professional football, highlighting the connection between repetitive head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases.Chicago Today

Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, a star player on the Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears, has been posthumously diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). McMichael passed away in 2025 after a five-year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Why it matters

McMichael's CTE diagnosis underscores the growing body of evidence linking repetitive head impacts from football to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and dementia. His case highlights the need for continued research and awareness around the long-term health risks faced by former NFL players.

The details

The Concussion & CTE Foundation announced McMichael's posthumous CTE diagnosis, which was determined through an examination of his brain tissue. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head and is commonly found in former contact sport athletes.

  • Steve McMichael passed away on April 23, 2025 after a five-year battle with ALS.
  • His posthumous CTE diagnosis was announced by the Concussion & CTE Foundation on April 7, 2026.

The players

Steve McMichael

A Hall of Fame defensive tackle who was a key member of the Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears team.

Concussion & CTE Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to researching and raising awareness about chronic traumatic encephalopathy and its connection to neurodegenerative diseases.

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The takeaway

McMichael's posthumous CTE diagnosis is a tragic reminder of the long-term health risks faced by former NFL players and the urgent need for continued research, education, and support for those impacted by the debilitating effects of repetitive head trauma.