Steve McMichael, Chicago Bears Super Bowl Champion Opens Up about His ALS Diagnosis

Steve McMichael, 63, has already experienced a drastic decline in his health after being diagnosed with ALS. The former football star is now left struggling with basic movements.

Steve McMichael is regarded as one of the Chicago Bears legends, but the former professional football player is now left to face the debilitating effects of ALS at the age of 63.

McMichael had an impressive run in the NFL, having played 191 regular-season games for the Chicago Bears. He also made it to numerous play-offs and was part of the 1985 team that one the franchise's first and only Super Bowl.

EXTREME STRUGGLES

McMichael invited the Chicago Tribune to write an article about his serious condition and the extreme struggles he now faces. The football legend received his ALS diagnosis three months ago and has decided to let the public know.

ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a disease that affects the nervous system and progressively gets worse over time. McMichael now has to come to terms with his new reality and shared:

"This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end.”

WHEELCHAIR BOUND

ALS has already taken McMichael's use of his hands and arms, leaving him in the full-time care of his wife, Misty. Misty has to feed McMichael, sponge bath him, and help him to use the bathroom.

The ALS will eventually strip McMichael of his ability to breathe on his own, and he will also be unable to talk.

Unfortunately, there isn't any hope that the football legend's condition will get better. McMichael will most likely be wheelchair-bound in the following months, with his mobility decreasing over time.

REVEALING THE NEWS

The Bears player decided to make his diagnosis public so that everyone knows why they no longer see him out and about. McMichael will not be doing football analyses and has also withdrawn from his band "The Chicago Sixes."

The former professional athlete wants to avoid speculation about why he isn't a public figure anymore; hence he came forward to tell his story right from the start. McMichael shared:

"You're not going to see me out doing appearances, hell, I can't even sign my name anymore, and everybody's going to be speculating."

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

McMichael's inability to use his hands and arms is an image that strongly contrasts his strong physical and athletic abilities before his diagnosis. After playing in the NFL for 13 years, McMichael became a professional wrestler.

The loss of the use of his upper body limbs is only the beginning, as the ALS will eventually strip McMichael of his ability to breathe on his own, and he will also be unable to talk.

The Chicago and football community have rallies to aid McMichael and his family with ongoing medical costs. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched, and a local company is selling shirts with all proceeds going to the family.

The Chicago Bears donated a customized wheelchair to their former player, and a website has been launched where monetary donations can be made to help McMichael during this difficult time.