Steve "Mongo" McMichael Expected To Join Hester In the HOF Class Of 2024

The National Football League will announce the Class of 2024 Hall of Fame on Thursday night during the NFL Awards Show, which will air live on NFL Network at 8:00 PM. Last week, sources, including ESPN's Dave Kaplan, leaked the news about Devin Hester. Now it's all but certain Steve McMichael, who anchored the defensive line for the Chicago Bears Super Bowl team in 1985, will join fellow teammates from 1985 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

When McMichael was named a finalist for enshrinement by the Veterans Committee, Misty McMichael, the wife of the Bears legendary defensive tackle, published a video of the phone call she received from a hall member. When he notified Misty that McMichael was a finalist, he mentioned that almost all finalists from the veterans committee have been enshrined in recent years; he all but guaranteed Steve McMichael would be a part of the class of 24.

When John Baker was the President of the NFL HOF, he informed new inductees personally. A camera crew would chronicle his announcements from the time he knocked on the door through his announcement to the newest enshrinee. Obviously, for those announcements to happen, each new member must know in advance.

Hester and McMichael are certainly welcome additions to Canton. Devin Hester was the best return man to play the game. McMichael terrorized offenses for 13 years as a member of one of the greatest defenses in Bears history. Only Richard Dent has more sacks. Mongo is credited with 92.5 sacks for Chicago.

McMichael's Battle With ALS

In April of 2021, McMichael revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS, and since the family was notified he was a finalist to the HOF, his wife Misty has been working on arrangements to find special needs to transport Steve to Canton for the enshrinement ceremony. He had to be hospitalized in 2023 when he contracted pneumonia. After time in the ICU, he recovered, and he now receives home care. Misty rarely leaves his side.

Will Bears Be Selected To Play In the HOF Game?

With two Bears players being inducted in the class of '24, it's all but a lock that Chicago will get the extra preseason game. The Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for Thursday, August 1st. Two other finalists also spent time with the Bears during their career. Jered Allen and Julius Peppers.