Steve 'Mongo' McMichael diagnosed with ALS; reminisced on Bears glory with teammates 'Fridge,' Dent

Bears legend Steve "Mongo" McMichael revealed today that he's been diagnosed with ALS. "Windy City LIVE" spoke with McMichael and fellow 1985 Chicago Bears superstars Richard Dent and William Perry (aka "The Fridge") in 2016 to mark the 30th anniversary of their Super Bowl win. The teammates reflected on their training camp antics and discussed their closeness.
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[@crimsontide1980]

I just cant wrap my head around it........this was only 7 years ago, and Mongo still looked to be a beast, and the amount of irreparable damage ALS has done to him in a matter of a couple years......just unreal. I hate hes going through this awful disease, feel bad for him and his family. Wouldnt wish it on anybody

[@Edoeg657]

Same here I used to like him as a wrestler he had charisma and was a tough conpetitor he just had that image and demeanor when he walked to the ring😢. Blessings his way and his family

[@TeamRocketHQR]

@@Edoeg657 Always have had respect for him on the gridiron and in a wrestling ring. I hate it so much too. Just we all need to pray for his recovery. And help him anyway we can and support him.

[@beazy7751]

His HOF induction brought me here

[@rrmorris67]

I was a senior in High School in Lake Forest of all places when all that 85 Super Bowl run happened. Greatest defense ever. Greatest Super Bowl champion ever. Period. I don;t care what anybody says. Greatest collection of personalities you will ever find. Jim McMahon was a hero to all of us budding wise asses in the suburbs. God Bless these guys, especially Mongo right now.

[@harrymiram6621]

Not personalities....Characters!-lol...Loved that 46 Defense! EVERY team--high school, college & pro--tries to emulate that team. But you NEED Unconditional Trust/Commitment! As saying goes--"Often Imitated, NEVER Dupilcated!"...SALUTE Dem Bears!

[@Grgaforniateezy]

I saw Refrigerator Perry at Applebees in Augusta, GA back in the day and he was the nicest guy. Just at the bar having a beer and was sociable with everyone. Class act

[@uscgbmcmretired2490]

44 - 0 in Dallas! Best game of the '85 Bears in my opinion! Thanks from a Chicago native who remembers every minute!

[@mikehodges4629]

Packers fan here. Your Bears suck now! Lol

[@uscgbmcmretired2490]

@@mikehodges4629 Thanks Mike, you don't have to remind us!!

[@crimsontide1980]

No love lost between Bears and Packers fans😂😂😂😂 At least both of you have been alive to witness your respective teams win a SB. I'm still waiting for my team.....losing confidence it'll happen in my lifetime.

[@georgeharleydavidsonrider156]

1985 Chicago Bears the greatest team in NFL history

[@zonapainter]

🤣🤣😂😅

[@citygirl5705]

@Owyn Dietert Did you watch their 1985 season? Didn't think so.

[@crimsontide1980]

For certain had the best defense of any team in NFL history. Offensively they were great also. Matter of opinion whether as a team they were the best, but they have my vote.

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Lol..WTF is WRONG with you?

[@BAKER22-l4u]

​@@crimsontide1980lol

[@Buddycoop1]

The '85 Bears were the Citizen Kane of the NFL. Best ever and no sequel.

[@patmccann5881]

Lucky I got to watch 85bears. Bear down. Best defense ever all time

[@michaeledwards4555]

Huh noooo

[@brandonsanmann2035]

I Still Remember That Team Sometimes Like Yesterday & My Heart Goes 2 Mongo As He Battles ALS

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Lol..Foolish and NOT true

[@camoanddonuts7894]

God Mongo telling it like it is Fridge as sweet as ever Dent is a badass, like forever

[@bengolfs1]

Sweetness, Fridge, Gault, Dent, McMichael, McMahan...greatest SB team of all-time.

[@StayPosted81]

And you’re missing like 10 other names. The team was so damn good. Fencik. Mongo. Hampton.

[@BAKER22-l4u]

Lol..WTF is WRONG with you?

[@brentlittle8075]

Man my Brother- in -law had it. Its the worst. God Bless this dude.

[@Cchisox3]

One of the greatest defenses of all time. I remember meeting all three of this players when I worked at soldier field back in 2004/2005. During the twenty anniversary of superbowl xx

[@battlestarmarc]

1985 Bears were unreal. Should have won more super bowls in the 80's. Their defense was so dominate in 1985.

[@boataxe4605]

They lost Buddy Ryan and McMahon was seriously injured by a cheap shot from Charles Martin. The two main reasons why they didn’t repeat.

[@georgemclaughlin19]

Most terrifying D-Line I ever have seen... I was 2 when they won that SB and am from downstate illinois, my dad was/is a dikta fan... so I grew up a bears fan... and I am greatful to have watched/listened to (from my crib mind you) this team play...

[@Staceyatkinson4496]

Mike s and r dent were my fav bears from the team

[@byroncole7548]

These guys are class 👏

[@fan4life345]

Epic team , great memories

[@HotWheels1010]

Devastated. Loved hearing Mongo on Bears pregame radio.

[@joeblough261]

I know, right? I had been wondering what happened to him. I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times and he was so personable and likeable. Also I've been to his sports bar in Bolingbrook many times, there's so much great memorabilia there. But even though I don't know him personally, I'm just devastated b/c ALS is arguably the single worst disease you can have, and a close family friend went through it. And Mongo's daughter is only about 13 years old. :-(

[@HotWheels1010]

@@joeblough261 Yes it is horrible 😔. My friend’s mother had it. Worst disease you can have.

[@ynotttt]

It’s horrible news. You can see here must be 2015 was great guy he is. I don’t know if it’s football related....but that doesn’t make it any easier to digest.

[@jimpress8478]

That was an era when men played football and didn't complain about getting hit hard or breaking a bone they just taped it up and hit you harder unlike the players today.

[@velvetbear7184]

Steve mcmichael said it best about mercenaries.... its everything wrong with sports today, no heart, no team, too much money.... sad

[@fivehundrediq5212]

You clearly don’t care about player safety

[@jimpress8478]

@@fivehundrediq5212 They know the risk. if they don't wanna get hit hard they should start a flag football league for the crybabies

[@jimpress8478]

@@fivehundrediq5212 Ask the old school NFL players if they would change anything they will tell you NO and that the players today are too damn soft

[@BAKER22-l4u]

WTF is WRONG with you?

[@stefanrittenbery1850]

above greatness this whole team god bless them bears

[@citygirl5705]

I became a Bears fan in 1984, the year before they became so popular. So I can say I didn't jump on the bandwagon, like a lot of their fans.

[@Ram44]

Hate to break it to you but you were a bandwagon jumper too. They were hugely popular in 1984 in Chicago, it was national in 1985. In 1984 they won the division for the first time since 1963.They set the NFL record for sacks in a season which still stands today. They made to the NFC Championship in 1984 but with McMahon hurt in the Raider game in November, they ran out of gas in San Francisco. So YES you are a bandwagon jumper too.

[@citygirl5705]

@@Ram44 Wrong. Bandwagon means going with the favorite. Nobody knew how dominant the Bears would be in 1985. And I'm sure almost nobody picked them to win the superbowl.

[@PH28538]

Watching the 85 Bears ....it didnt get better than that! ❤

[@Alphamales4Trump]

WHEN ATHLETES WERE NONPOLITICAL AND GREAT "WE ARE THE BEARS SHUFFLING CREW" GOD BLESS GENTLEMEN 👍🏻

[@MonacoLager1]

I know, people like Curt Schilling are ruining the spirit of baseball, so I feel your pain.

[@richardneal6200]

Amazing that Da Bears weren't a dynasty. Team was young and loaded

[@effend446]

They all let their egos get in their way, including Da Coach

[@Genkimark]

God bless Mongo. He doesn't have much longer to live now.

[@michaelkampfert639]

Thanks captain obvious.

[@richardmorris7063]

Yeh but what a ride its been!

[@alaneiler2361]

Meeting Mongo was was a huge part of my life!! The day when my mother passed he let me wear his Super Bowl Ring all night! He is a very great guy, and my mom is watching over him to make sure he can be strong!! 🍻

[@richardmorris7063]

@@alaneiler2361 I didn't know he was Ill till a few days ago.I'm his age so it makes you reflect.ya never know,live each day like its your last!

[@crimsontide1980]

He may not live many years longer but look at the fight he's putting up. He will at least go down swinging, he's just as tough now as he was 30 years ago. God bless him, I know he's got it bad

[@PH28538]

Loved these guys ❤ loved this team!

[@timg2088]

Greatest defense I've ever seen. Nobody could stop the 46 Defense that year!

[@richardmorris7063]

Dan the man Marino could.

[@citygirl5705]

@@richardmorris7063 Yeah, but McMahon didn't play. If the Bears met them again in the Super Bowl, it would have been a different story. Sucks that they played the Pats instead of Miami again.

[@richardmorris7063]

@@citygirl5705 i forgot that detail,but quick release Dan beat the " D" that day,one could speculate they would have won the super bowl but they were human on that nite

[@citygirl5705]

@@richardmorris7063 Yep, Miami fans will say they would have won, Bears fans will say they would have. Too bad we'll never know. But the Bears did absolutely demolish the Pats team that just beat Miami.

[@norms3913]

The dolphins stopped them in Miami 38-6 Monday night

[@Chris-yh2zz]

I loved the Bears in 1985. They were the team and I learned about football. I learned about the players and what position they played. And to win the Superbowl.....SWEET !!

[@enniswhalen2428]

@ C Hey, ONE bad night in the Miami heat, a couple of "strange' referee calls. . . . who knows . . . .

[@boscopit]

The Fridge! From right here in Aiken, SC!

[@Grgaforniateezy]

I used to see him when I lived in Augusta

[@Gen-X-Memories]

I remember reading about the time that Perry tried to pick up Walter Payton who was the ball carrier at the goal line and carry him into the endzone. Perry got a penalty for doing that but what was so funny was that Payton said I was just hoping that William wouldn't fall on me!

[@jerryglen986]

Physical football like 85 bears are over. Soft football today

[@charlesbennett7688]

Great player get well

[@natevart4156]

Absolute ballers

[@franklinbolander1916]

GREAT STUFF!

[@JoeyVoices]

Real men!

[@Hbizz813]

Rip Mongo

[@williamgallucci9913]

Class times 3

[@murderinc.hunting7686]

Not to get off topic, but that is the most gorgeous woman Ive ever seen.

[@kenhernandez8128]

You need to get out more.

[@superx9619]

@@kenhernandez8128 and glasses

[@fredrogers181]

Thats a man

[@user-hh1xh5my4p]

They pitched 2 shutouts in the playoffs!

[@daveteague47]

Refrigerator Perry ONE EGG! See Coach I'm cuttin down!

[@joeshipley666]

Only one team in history gave up less points and less rushing yards in a single season than the 85 Bears.

[@Ram44]

Where do you people online come from with you incorrect info? The 1977 Falcons hold the record for fewest points in a season and average per game. The 1986 Bears allowed less points than 1985.

[@woodrowcook3107]

Maybe everyone except Tony Eason became a Bears fan. 🙂

[@kevinpalmer9756]

They had to mention 'naked in a limo'.... a guy who ran with Ric WOOOOOO Flair, just had to mention naked in a limo!!!! hahahahahaha.

[@jerriotglencamp7562]

My Vikings had a hard time beating this team back in the day. Fight on McMichael.

[@Kiwitakimago]

Why did that team only win one championship?

[@richardneal6200]

One of the most underachieving teams in sports history

[@effend446]

Their egos all took over. Buddy was gone after SBXX. McMahon was 30 lbs overweight when training camp for '86 started......too much partying. Questionable decisions by Da Coach that cost Da Bears in '86, despite going 14-2. As well as the Strike of '87 and countless contract disputes. Payton and Fencik hung it up after '87, probably out of spite. Marshall was also gone after '87, definitely out of spite. McMahon was gone after '88, had a major falling out with McKaskey and Ditka. Ditka and McKaskey were never truly on the same page to begin with. After all, Ditka was Halas' (last) hire before his death, not McKaskey's hire. And Ditka was gone after '92.

[@Ram44]

Nothing else to prove.

[@mattricker9554]

best defense om nfl history...buddy ryan's 46

[@ManuelRodriguez-mg8km]

So if this is a week ago And I saw another clip where he looked much worse and said he was 63 I mean looking at this clip compared to the other is like night and day

[@WindyCityLIVETV]

This interview was *posted* a week ago, but the footage itself is from 2016. It says so in the description.

[@andyhamilton8940]

Remember when yall didnt let Payton score one touchdown in the Super Bowl? Yea that was great.

[@Ram44]

Y'all? Are you from DE SOUTH? WE were not calling the plays in the game. The Bears coaches were. And last time I checked, it's a team game, not about one person. Here it is almost 40 years later and that season remains eternal. Walter had a great year in 1985. 46-10. We knocked the Boston accent out of their fuckin' mouths.

[@fan4life345]

That call was on Ditka

[@andyhamilton8940]

@@Ram44not just about one person. Oh so Fridge wasn’t the celebrity all year? Scoring offense and defense and let a lineman get the ball during the super bowl but not star running back.

[@andyhamilton8940]

" Richard are you still able to throw tables across rooms?"

[@mustardseedist]

Mathew 16:26

[@richarddavis133]

Mongo. There can be only one! 👍🏻

[@bobabooey4537]

I wonder if the guy host has ever thrown or caught a football.

[@charleycharley2776]

Freer Buckaroo

[@jameskelly5672]

Julius peppers should not be put in before mongo ,thats a crime if that happens.

[@anglowarrior3871]

As things have turned out, they'll be getting inducted the same day.

[@michellenainkristinabusch1221]

They went in together

[@nuttinhoney80]

Didn't Refrigerator play for the New England Patriots a long time ago?

[@rickygrand1405]

Never

[@logalogalog]

Steve played for and was released by the New England Patriots in 1980. Fridge was drafted by the Bears and ended up finishing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

[@gary30229]

Mongo did.

[@marcoskolioulis3522]

Dent is putting his hand on the fridges leg a bit too much

[@timothy4545]

The 1985 Bears is the best defense of all time, not the 2000 Ravens.

[@frank78855]

The 2000 Ravens were a wild card team. They got hot at the right time.

[@bgillett72]

How can a woman be that beautiful?

[@caesarguzman5831]

What wonan?

[@Ram44]

Huh? Her?!!

[@carnelcarter4914]

They were great!! But the greatest, no. Team of the 80s were the 49ers.

[@Ram44]

The 49ers had their asses handed to them in San Francisco in 1985 by Da Bears. Yeah, they were the team of the 80's but for one year this Bears team was considered the best of the decade.

[@buffmuscle]

Blows to the head. And other difficulties caused by sports. The owners should help,