The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame featured no shortage of emotions. But the most impactful and powerful moment involved a class member unable to attend the Canton, Ohio, ceremony due to ALS: Steve McMichael.
The revered Chicago Bears defensive lineman earned his long-awaited induction into the Hall of Fame Saturday. As McMichael bravely battles the life-threatening disease that’s confined him to a wheelchair and altered his speech, his induction sparked numerous powerful reactions — including those close to him.
NFL World Reactions Include Ex-Teammates and Wife
McMichael was shown inside his home flanked by his wife, Misty, plus members of the 1985 Bears team with whom he won Super Bowl 20.
Richard Dent, who lined up alongside McMichael in the trenches, helped unveil his bust. Former NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl winner Chris Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, called it “the best thing you’ll see today.”
Richard Dent presenting Steve McMichael his Hall of Fame bust is the best thing you’ll see today pic.twitter.com/v9pddrcUmo
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) August 3, 2024
McMichael’s wife Misty, who took part in the pregame festivities of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in his honor, did more than thank the HOF committee and Steve’s former teammates. She turned to her husband and commented on his Saturday clothing attire.
“The jacket fits you nice,” Misty told him, referring to his new gold jacket coming from Canton.
READ MORE: Steve McMichael, Blazing Saddles, and the Birth of the “Mongo” Nickname
Another former Bears teammate of his, Jim Covert, who was inducted into the 2020 class, joined Steve at his home. The offensive tackle known as “Jimbo” told Fox 32 Chicago how McMichael has handled ALS with such class.
“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever had the opportunity to play with,” Covert said. “We made each other better.”
Dent added how McMichael is now “in a better place” with his HOF induction. He also added these stirring words:
“He’s on a team he’ll never be cut from,” Dent told the news outlet.
"He's on a team you can never be cut from." Former Bears legends and Hall of Famers Jim Covert and Richard Dent welcome Mongo to the Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/50dd2hXrLs
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) August 3, 2024
Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Among Other Reactions
McMichael’s emotional induction wasn’t just limited to the NFL world. Even legends from the sports entertainment world chimed in.
One was pro wrestling icon Ric Flair, who befriended McMichael during his own rise to fame in the 1980s. Flair shared this on X:
“He’s In!! Congratulations my Great Friend Steve “Mongo” McMichael. You Made It! So Well Deserved! What A Beautiful Ceremony! And Needless To Say, You Would Always Want Me To Say WOOOOO!” Flair shared.
McMichael’s alma mater, the University of Texas, was another that honored the newest Hall of Fame member with this graphic with the word “legendary” leading off the caption.
Legendary 🤘
Welcome to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Steve McMichael! #PFHOF24 pic.twitter.com/yDelK9RCDN
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) August 3, 2024
NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche was another who posted his reaction toward the stirring moment involving “Mongo,” using the word “special” in his X post.
“That presentation of the bust and gold jacket to Bears Hall of Famer Steve McMichael was….special,” Wyche shared. “Salute to Mongo, the Bears and the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the incredible honoring of McMichael.”
Lastly, sister Kathy McMichael shared a heartfelt letter that Steve put together ahead of his induction. Among the words she read off?
“Woo hoo! I’m in the Hall of Fame, baby!” Kathy read off.
Kathy McMichael shares a heartfelt @ProFootballHOF speech on behalf of her brother, Steve McMichael ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dk8HtZ3iGS
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 3, 2024
Steve is now the 39th member of the Bears to earn a bust into the Hall of Fame. He joins fellow ’85 members Walter Payton (whose son, Jarrett, inducted him), Dent, Mike Singletary, and Covert in Canton. He also joins another Bears star in the Hall, Devin Hester, as part of the ’24 class.