Chicago Bears Icon Is Finally One Step Closer To Hall Of Fame

The Chicago Bears have the most Hall of Fame inductees of any organization in the NFL. That doesn't mean they're without their fair share of snubs. Plenty of names that have carved out great careers in this city still haven't claimed a gold jacket from Canton. Seven-time Pro Bowl center Jay Hilgenberg is one. So is Devin Hester, the greatest return man in history. Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, and Olin Kreutz haven't even gotten close. However, if one were to ask who the biggest omission is today, that would have to be Steve McMichael.

When talking about the greatest defense in NFL history, many people point to the 1985 Bears as the measuring stick. Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, and Richard Dent are already enshrined in Canton. Yet they would be the first to point out that "Mongo" McMichael was the best of the bunch. There was a stretch from 1983 through 1992 where he averaged eight sacks per year. That was as a defensive tackle. Only three players at that position have more sacks in their careers: John Randle, Aaron Donald, and Warren Sapp. Yet McMichael hasn't even gotten a sniff of the Hall of Fame.

That may finally be close to changing.

The Bears legend was named among 31 senior semifinalists for induction in this coming 2024 class, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall’s 12-person Seniors Committee trimmed a list of eligible nominees to 31 Semifinalists who advance to the next round of consideration.

They are: Ken Anderson, Ottis Anderson, Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Larry Brown, Mark Clayton, Charlie Conerly, Roger Craig, Henry Ellard, Randy Gradishar, Lester Hayes, Chris Hinton, Cecil Isbell, Joe Jacoby, Billy "White Shoes” Johnson, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Albert Lewis, Jim Marshall, Clay Matthews Jr., Steve McMichael, Eddie Meador, Stanley Morgan, Tommy Nobis, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Steve Tasker, Otis Taylor, Everson Walls and Al Wistert.

Steve McMichael (defensive tackle, 1980-1994): Single seasons in New England as a rookie and in Green Bay at the end of his career sandwiched a 13-year stint in Chicago, where he amassed 92.5 of his 95 career sacks. Two-time first-team All-Pro and member of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears.

Steve McMichael deserves this honor.

He has checked every conceivable box there is. His production speaks for itself, posting 95 sacks. Remember, he did this despite not being a starter for the first three seasons of his career. McMichael anchored one of the five greatest defensive lines in NFL history and has a Super Bowl ring. No argument can be made against him other than some people having a problem with his maverick attitude. Mongo undeniably could be a free spirit at times, but he never did anything harmful to the organization or the game.

If anything, he helped make football fun again. The league needs more characters like him in it. Nobody can say for sure if he will get in. However, it would be a great story if the voting committee did so. Not just because he deserves it but because time is running out for him to witness this achievement. Steve McMichael suffers from ALS, which has taken a severe toll on him over the past couple of years. It feels like his days are numbered. Getting him into Canton would be a wonderful way to bookend his incredible life story.