Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael has been posthumously diagnosed with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the Concussion & CTE Foundation announced. McMichael, who died last year at 67 after battling ALS, had pledged his brain for study.
His wife, Misty McMichael, stated her donation of Steve's brain aims to inspire research into the link between CTE and ALS. CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with repetitive head trauma, leading to mood swings, impulsivity, and depression. ALS affects nerve cells, causing muscle control loss.
Research indicates NFL players are significantly more likely to develop ALS. Studies suggest a notable percentage of individuals with CTE also have ALS. Experts confirm strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS.
McMichael, a key player in the Chicago Bears' 1985 Super Bowl victory, spent 15 seasons in the NFL, including 13 with Chicago, where he recorded 847 tackles and 91 sacks.