Legendary Longhorn Steve McMichael Inducted Into 2024 Hall of Fame Class.
The Texas Longhorns added another chapter to their rich NFL history on Thursday night as former Longhorn and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve McMichael received a nomination for the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame class. This nomination marks McMichael as the sixth Longhorn to achieve this prestigious honor, joining the ranks of Tex Schramm, Tom Landry, Bobby Layne, Bobby Dillon, and Earl Campbell.
Affectionately known as “Mongo,” McMichael, a third-round pick by the Patriots in 1980, became a beloved figure in Chicago. He emerged as a force for the Bears and played a crucial role in the success of the 1985 Super Bowl-winning team, considered one of the greatest in NFL history. McMichael, recognized as a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, exemplified the ferocious 46 defense that led the Bears to their championship.
Throughout his 15-season career, including 13 years with the Bears and stints with New England and Green Bay, McMichael showcased his prowess as an interior defensive lineman with an impressive pass rush. His career statistics include 95 sacks, 847 tackles, and 13 forced fumbles. Notably, he had seven seasons with eight or more sacks, ranking second all-time among defensive tackles.
In 2021, McMichael disclosed his ALS diagnosis, but he has valiantly battled the disease and is now recognized for his outstanding contributions to the sport. During his tenure at the University of Texas, McMichael earned First-Team All-Southwest Conference (SWC) honors in 1978 and 1979, securing a consensus All-American nod in 1979. Following his selection in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, McMichael’s impactful career unfolded with the Chicago Bears, solidifying his place as one of the 100 greatest Bears of all time and a key member of the legendary 1985 Bears team.
