Pro Football Hall of Famer and Wrestling Star Had CTE at Time of Death

McMichael's family reveals he had Stage 3 CTE when he died from ALS in 2025.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:21pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph showing the intricate, ghostly structures of a human brain, with visible signs of damage and deterioration associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.A revealing X-ray view into the damaged brain of a former contact sport athlete, exposing the neurological toll of repetitive head trauma.Chicago Today

Nearly a year after the passing of Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael in 2025, his family has revealed that the Chicago Bears legend had Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) at the time of his death. McMichael's actual cause of death was ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing link between repetitive brain trauma in contact sports and the development of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. McMichael's donation of his brain for research aims to inspire more former athletes to participate in studies that could lead to better prevention and treatment of CTE.

The details

McMichael's wife, Misty, said in a statement that 'too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death.' She donated her husband's brain to the Concussion & CTE Foundation to support new research into the connection between the two conditions. Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, stated that about 6% of individuals with CTE in the brain bank also have ALS, and there is 'strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS'.

  • Steve McMichael passed away in 2025.
  • McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.

The players

Steve McMichael

A Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bears defensive tackle who also had a career as a professional wrestler. He passed away in 2025 at the age of 63 after being diagnosed with ALS in 2021.

Misty McMichael

The wife of Steve McMichael who donated his brain to the Concussion & CTE Foundation to support research into the link between CTE and ALS.

Dr. Ann McKee

The director of the Boston University CTE Center who stated that about 6% of individuals with CTE also have ALS, and there is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma to the development of ALS.

Chris Nowinski

The CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation who praised Steve McMichael's final act of donating his brain to support research that could help save other former athletes.

Dave Duerson

A former Chicago Bears player who was also diagnosed with CTE at the time of his death in 2011 following a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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What they’re saying

“Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death. I donated Steve's brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

— Misty McMichael, Wife of Steve McMichael

“There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS.”

— Dr. Ann McKee, Director, Boston University CTE Center

“Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so that we might have a chance to save ourselves.”

— Chris Nowinski, CEO, Concussion & CTE Foundation

What’s next

The Concussion & CTE Foundation plans to use McMichael's donated brain to further research the link between CTE and ALS, with the goal of developing better prevention and treatment options for former contact sport athletes.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the urgent need for more research and awareness around the long-term neurological impacts of repetitive head trauma in contact sports. McMichael's selfless donation of his brain could lead to critical breakthroughs that save lives and protect future generations of athletes.