Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Steve McMichael had CTE, researchers say

Steve McMichael is displayed on the video board as he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 3, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Misty McMichael raises Steve McMichael's gold jacket during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Civic Center on Aug. 2, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

A Bears fan wearing a Steve McMichael jersey celebrates during the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 3, 2024, in Canton. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael and his wife, Misty, along with former teammates, are displayed on the video board as he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Aug. 3, 2024, in Canton, Ohio. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Kathy McMichael, sister of former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael, shows off the gold jacket he received Aug. 3, 2024, at his Homer Glen home. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Former Chicago Bears players Steve McMichael, center, and Dan Hampton, right, laugh as they greet each other before the ALS Walk for Life at Soldier Field, Sept. 18, 2021, in Chicago. McMichael, who was diagnosed with ALS, received the Les Turner ALS Foundation Courage Award during the opening ceremony. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Bears great Steve McMichael in 2005 with his dog, Chula. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

The big screen shows images of Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael as players head to the locker room at halftime of a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept. 8, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Drummers and bagpipe players from the Emerald Society of the Chicago Police Department perform Aug. 3, 2024, outside of the home of former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael in Homer Glen. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Malia Mrozek, 4, wears a a Bears jersey adorned with the name Mongo along with the number one as fans gather Aug. 3, 2024, outside the home of former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael in Homer Glen prior to McMichael being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Mrozek family live in the neighborhood. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Former Bears player Steve McMichael on April 22, 2021, at his Romeoville home. McMichael had been recently diagnosed with ALS. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael stands April 22, 2021, at his Romeoville home. McMichael was recently diagnosed with ALS. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Chicago Bears player Steve McMichael gets help from his wife Misty eating lunch, April 22, 2021, at their Romeoville home. McMichael recently lost use of his arms after being diagnosed with ALS. The new ramp to the garage behind them was built by former teammate Dan Hampton. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Steve "Mongo" McMichael at his Mongo McMichael's restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Steve "Mongo" McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael performs with other members of "The Chicago 6" in Grant Park on July 25, 2019. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Former Bears football great Steve McMichael, who was running for mayor of Romeoville, in his campaign office on April 2, 2013. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune)

Steve "Mongo" McMichael at his Mongo McMichaels restaurant in Romeoville on April 25, 2019. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael has a laugh before battling Corey Wootton in a mechanical bull riding competition at Union Station in Chicago on March 4, 2011. The event was held to kick off the Professional Bull Riders' inaugural Chicago Invitational this weekend. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, left, talks with former Bear Steve McMichael before the Bears host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field, Sept. 5, 2019. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael at Bears Camp in Lake Forest on Aug. 28, 1990. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael enjoys a respite on the Bears bench, circa 1991. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)

Former Bear Mike Tomczak (18) is greeted after the game by the Bears' Steve McMichael (76), who tackled Tomczak several times during the Bears vs Green Bay game at Soldier Field on Dec. 8, 1991. (Bob Fila/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael gets his arms around the legs of Packers quarterback Jim Zorn during the 16-10 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Nov 3, 1985 at Lambeau Field at Green Bay. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune)

The Bucs James Wilder is stopped by the Bears Steve McMichael (76) and Wilber Marshall during a game in Oct. 1987. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael played in 191 games during 13 seasons with the Bears and retired second on the Bears' career sacks list with 92.5. He was a member of the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl team and made 2 Pro Bowls. Here, McMichael lights up in a smile as he and Jay Hilgenberg leave the field after the Bears victory over Tampa on Dec. 14, 1991, at Soldier Field. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael (76) in action during the Bears vs Green Bay game in Wisconsin on Nov. 5, 1989. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

The Eagles’ Anthony Toney runs with the ball, attempting ot evade the Bears’ Steve McMichael during their game at Soldier Field on Dec. 31, 1988. (John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears’ Steve McMichael bears down on Tampa’s Steve DeBerg on Sept. 20, 1987, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune)

Steve and Debra McMichael sit in the living room of their home in Mundelein on July 22, 1987. Debra won the Mrs. Illinois contest and will go on to represent the state in the Mrs. U.S.A. contest in Las Vegas. (Ron Bailey/Chicago Tribune)

Defensive tackle Steve McMichael takes a breather on the sidelines during a Bears game, circa 1989. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Bears’ defensive tackle Steve McMichael, center, is back and ready to play against Seattle at Soldier Field on Sept. 9, 1990. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

Defensive tackle Steve McMichael is one of 12 Bears who have a legitimate spot at making the NFC Pro Bowl team this season, circa 1985. (Ed Wagner Jr./Chicago Tribune)

The Bears' Dan Hampton exchanges high-fives with Steve McMichael after Hampton stuffed San Francisco fullback Tom Rathman 44 in the second half. (George Thompson/Chicago Tribune)

Defensive tackle Steve McMichael as quarterback for the Bears? No, but coach Mike Ditka, whose imagination knows no bounds, did mention William “The Refrigerator” Perry as an emergency QB, circa 1985. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael laughs during Bears practice at Platteville, Wisconsin, on July 22, 1993. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

The Bears’ Steve McMichael in an undated photo. (Chicago Tribune archive)

The Bears’ Steve McMichael, from left, Ron Rivera, Mark Bortz, Tom Thayer and Kurt Becker work out, circa 1987. On Sunday they'll be idle for the second straight week. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

The Bears' Steve McMichael sacks Lions quarterback Eric Hipple on Nov. 10, 1985, at Soldier Field. The Bears won 24 to 3. (Bob Langer/Chicago Tribune)

The Bucs' Steve DeBerg looks for a receiver, but all he sees is Bears’ Steve McMichael closing in on him in during game play in 1987. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael reacts after the Bears stopped the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 24, 1991, at Soldier Field in Chicago. (Hung Vu/Chicago Tribune)

Steve McMichael shows off a copy of his book on the 1985 Chicago Bears during the Chicago Tribune's Chicago Live! event at the Chicago Theatre Downstairs on Feb. 10, 2011.

Steve McMichael mugs with Mike Ditka at a Bears event in Rosemont on Aug. 1, 2005.

Former Bears player and Romeoville mayoral candidate Steve McMichael waits to give a TV interview moments after giving a concession speech after losing to incumbent John Noak on April 9, 2013.

Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael arrives at an advanced screening of "The "85 Bears" documentary about the Super Bowl XX champions on Jan. 27, 2016, at the AMC River East 21 theater in Chicago. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bears' win.

Steve McMichael chats with Police Chief Mark Turvey as McMichael attends a Romeoville village board meeting on Jan. 2, 2013. McMichael has announced that he is running for mayor.

Steve McMichael joins fellow Bears teammates as the Chicago Bears honored the 1985 team at halftime of a game against the Ravens on Oct. 23, 2005.

Former Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael with his wife Misty at an advanced screening of "The "85 Bears" documentary about the Super Bowl XX champions on Jan. 27, 2016, at the AMC River East 21 theater in Chicago. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bears' win.

Steve McMichael salutes the fans during the 6th Annual Bears Fan Convention at the Hilton Towers on Feb. 21, 2003.