Chicago Bears legend Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael diagnosed posthumously with CTE after dying of complications from ALS

CHICAGO (WLS) — NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears Super Bowl winner Steve “Mongo” McMichael died a year ago of complications from ALS. Experts say it is not surprising. His brain also tested positive for CTE.

“By sharing Steve’s diagnosis, we want to raise awareness of the clear connection between CTE and ALS,” said Misty McMichael, his wife of 25 years. “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.”

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Researchers at the Boston University’s Concussion and CTE Foundation announced Tuesday that McMichael had stage three of four for chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

“Steve McMichael had severe CTE as well as ALS with TDP-43 inclusions typical for ALS in his brainstem and spinal cord,” said Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center and chief of neuropathology for the VA Boston Healthcare System. “There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS; in our CTE brain bank, about 6% of individuals with CTE also have ALS.”

McMichael played for 15 years in the NFL, and as part of the 1985 team, won the Super Bowl with the Bears. Over the course of McMichael’s career in college and the pros, he took thousands of hits to the head. Experts say that is what causes CTE.

“It’s been diagnosed in 90% of 400 NFL players studied, and nearly all former NFL players who developed ALS,” said Concussion and CTE foundation CEO Dr. Chris Nowinsky.

Nowinsky says CTE is a brain disease that causes dementia and is caused by repeated hits to the head, which can happen in football or other sports, including soccer.

Spero Mandakis coaches soccer at Glenbrook North High School. And concussions, which are also caused by repeated hits to the head, are a big concern.

“In the end, we’re protecting these kids for a lifetime, not just for one game,” Mandakis said.

Experts say athletes are at as much risk in soccer as they are in football primarily because of headers, using your head to hit the soccer ball. Jerzy Skowron coaches soccer at South Elgin High School.

“In my position now, as a soccer coach, the kids’ safety is first and foremost,” Skowron said.

The coaches say brain safety has become a much bigger issue in the past decade since high-profile cases involving NFL stars with CTE have come to light. But Nowinski says there remains many misperceptions and much more work needs to be done.

“This is not just a pro athlete problem, an NFL problem. We are diagnosing CTE and athletes who played college sports and even who never played after high school,” Nowinsky said.

The concussion and CTE foundation will honor McMichael at their fundraiser run later this month.