Chicago Bears Legend Steve McMichael Diagnosed with CTE After Death

Boston University study reveals former NFL player had stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:56pm

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Legendary Chicago Bears defensive lineman Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, who died in 2025 from ALS, was posthumously diagnosed with stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) according to a study by the Boston University CTE Center. McMichael's wife Misty has donated his brain to further research the link between CTE and ALS in former NFL players.

Why it matters

The revelation of McMichael's CTE diagnosis highlights the ongoing issue of head trauma and its long-term neurological impacts on professional football players. CTE can only be diagnosed after death, and studies have shown a strong connection between repetitive brain injuries and the development of ALS, a fatal neurodegenerative disease.

The details

The Boston University study found that McMichael, a 15-year NFL veteran who was a key part of the Chicago Bears' legendary 1985 defense, had stage three CTE at the time of his death. CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. McMichael had previously been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, which he died from in 2025 at the age of 67.

  • Steve McMichael died in April 2025 at the age of 67.
  • The Boston University study diagnosing McMichael with stage three CTE was completed in late 2025, several months after his death.

The players

Steve 'Mongo' McMichael

A legendary defensive lineman who played 15 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Chicago Bears, and was a key member of the Bears' Super Bowl-winning 1985 defense. He was posthumously diagnosed with stage three chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Misty McMichael

The wife of Steve McMichael, who donated her late husband's brain to the Boston University CTE Center to further research the link between CTE and ALS in former NFL players.

Dr. Ann McKee

The director of the Boston University CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System, who led the study that diagnosed Steve McMichael with stage three CTE.

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What they’re saying

“There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS. In our CTE brain bank, about six percent of individuals with CTE also have ALS.”

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

“By sharing Steve's diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS. 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

What’s next

The Boston University CTE Center plans to conduct further research into the connection between CTE and ALS using the brain samples donated by former NFL players like Steve McMichael. This research could lead to new insights and potential treatments for these devastating neurological conditions.

The takeaway

The tragic case of Steve McMichael underscores the ongoing public health crisis surrounding head trauma and long-term brain injuries in professional football. His posthumous CTE diagnosis, coupled with his ALS diagnosis, highlights the urgent need for continued research, education, and policy changes to protect current and future NFL players.