Fans, friends, and former teammates gathered for a special Monday Night Football watch party to show their love and support for Chicago Bears icon Steve “Mongo” McMichael, who continues his brave battle against ALS. The event, held at Joe’s on Weed Street, aimed to raise funds for McMichael’s ongoing medical care, as well as to increase awareness of the disease.
“Giving saves lives, and it helps individuals live whatever life they have left to its fullest,” said Bruce Herron, a former teammate of McMichael. “We appreciate everything you can do to help those folks afflicted with ALS.”
This was the sixth installment of the Monday Night Live Watch Party, a series where each event highlights a different past or present Bears player while raising money for various charitable causes. On Monday, the spotlight was on Steve McMichael, whose stellar career with the Bears earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a dream he achieved just this past August.
McMichael, affectionately known as “Mongo,” was a defensive force during his time with the Bears from 1981 to 1993. In 1985, he helped lead the team to their only Super Bowl victory, recording a key sack against the New England Patriots in the legendary Super Bowl XX.
McMichael’s journey, however, is not just defined by his football career. In 2021, he publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Since then, his health has declined, but his spirit remains unbroken. Fans and loved ones have rallied around him, and the fundraiser at Joe’s on Weed Street was no exception.
“He’s got a trach, a feeding tube, a cecostomy tube, and a permanent catheter, but this man is strong,” said Misty McMichael, Steve’s wife. “The journey to the Hall of Fame was a fabulous finish, but Steve’s fight against ALS is far from over.”
The fundraiser was not just a celebration of McMichael’s football legacy but a crucial effort to help cover the costs of his round-the-clock medical care. According to Misty, the expenses for Steve’s care total about $13,000 a month, with 24-hour nursing needed to ensure his well-being. While the NFL provides $144,000 annually, it still leaves a gap of $16,000 that the family needs to cover each year.
“Steve has 24-hour nurses. It costs about $156,000 a year, so we need to raise $16,000 annually to make up the difference,” Misty explained. “It’s a challenge, but seeing the support from everyone here gives us hope.”
The event, hosted by Celeb Events Inc., brought together a community of supporters who watched the Baltimore Ravens take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but more importantly, came to stand in solidarity with Mongo.
Among those in attendance was Bruce Herron, a close friend and former teammate of McMichael’s. He visited Steve just a few days before the fundraiser to wish him a happy 67th birthday, which fell on October 17—a number Misty pointed out was the reverse of Steve’s iconic jersey number, 76.
“We were sitting around the bed and talking about stuff from back when we were playing,” Herron shared. “We’d say, ‘Mongo, you remember that?’ and his eyes would light up. Even though he can’t speak, we knew he was with us.”
The Monday Night Live Watch Party series continues throughout the football season, with each event raising funds for different charities. For this week, it was all about Mongo, and the love in the room was palpable.
Steve McMichael’s battle with ALS is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those living with the disease, but the continued outpouring of support underscores the strength of the community around him. As Bruce Herron put it, “It’s about making sure people like Steve can live whatever life they have left to its fullest.”
The Bears legend may be facing his toughest battle yet, but he’s not fighting alone. As the journey continues, supporters plan to keep spreading awareness and raising funds to help cover the cost of care, ensuring that Mongo gets the support he needs.
For more information about upcoming fundraising events at Joe’s on Weed Street, visit the event’s official page and learn how you can contribute to the cause.
