The Bears lost a legend Wednesday who was unlike any other human on earth.

Former All-Pro defensive tackle Steve McMichael, a key member of the Bears' famed 1985 Super Bowl XX championship team who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Aug. 3, passed away at the age of 67.

At 6-2 and 270 pounds, McMichael was a behemoth in stature with an equally huge personality that made him larger than life. Even on Bears teams with more characters than a Disneyland parade, the gregarious Texas native was unique.

McMichael, who was affectionately nicknamed "Mongo," was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April 2021. Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a neurodegenerative neuromuscular disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. The affected muscles are responsible for chewing, speaking, walking and breathing.

"It's a cruel irony that the Bears' Ironman succumbed to this dreaded disease," said Bears chairman George H. McCaskey in a statement. "Yet Steve showed us throughout his struggle that his real strength was internal, and he demonstrated on a daily basis his class, his dignity and his humanity. He is at peace now. We offer our condolences to Misty, Macy, the rest of Steve's family, his teammates, and countless friends and fans of a great Bear."

During his 13-year career with the Bears from 1981-93, McMichael hunted rattlesnakes in the offseason and quarterbacks on Sundays and Monday nights. A warrior on and off the field, he appeared in a franchise-record 191 consecutive games. He ranks second in team history with 92.5 sacks, helped the Bears win six division titles and was an instrumental part of a 1985 defense that many consider to be the best in NFL history.

McMichael wreaked havoc on the field, playing with passion and ferocity. He was an intimidating force of nature who possessed bulging biceps and legs the size of tree trunks. And he talked trash in a thick Texas drawl with a devilish grin and a maniacal twinkle in his eyes.

McMichael was a two-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler. He was named the 19th best player in Bears history in 2019 by writers Don Pierson and Dan Pompei in the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook. McMichael was also a selfless teammate who took pride in doing the dirty work in the trenches without much fanfare. He embraced his role occupying offensive linemen so linebackers Mike Singletary, Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall could roam freely to the ball and make impact plays.

Unable to travel to the Hall of Fame last summer due to his battle with ALS, McMichael was presented with his gold jacket and bust during an emotional celebration at his Chicago area home. The Hall of Fame ensured that McMichael would be part of the Class of 2024's induction ceremony taking place simultaneously in Canton, Ohio, by sending a delegation to his home in Homer Glen, Ill. Those who made the round-trip flight included Hall of Fame former Bears teammates Jimbo Covert, Richard Dent and Singletary, as well as McMichael's wife, Misty, and their daughter, Macy. Several other former Bears teammates were also on hand.

"I'm really excited for him," Singletary said at the time. "It's been a long haul. It's been tough. He's been through a lot: blood, sweat and tears on the field, and then from the inside out, all the things that his body has gone through and his mind, all the exasperation, I'm just very thankful that this is coming to him."

Jarrett Payton, the son of late Bears legend Walter Payton, served as McMichael's official presenter in Canton. Jarrett also presented his father for induction in 1993.

"[In] 1985, the Bears were prepped to go on a Super Bowl run, but Steve really was the special sauce on that '46' defense," Jarrett said as part of his introduction. "His ability to use his strength, his speed, his quickness really set the tone for what the Bears did in '85 and the success that they had as a defense … Steve McMichael was a force of nature, but the only thing bigger than his personality was his heart."

Born Oct. 17, 1957, in Houston, McMichael starred at the University of Texas from 1976-79. As a senior, he was named a consensus first-team All-American, all-Southwestern Conference, team MVP and defensive MVP of the Hula Bowl. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

McMichael was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 1980 draft. Released by New England before his second season, he signed with the Bears as a free agent in 1981. He soon became a regular contributor in defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan's "46" defense, ultimately teaming with three future Hall of Famers in Dent, Singletary and Dan Hampton.

McMichael was named first-team All-Pro in 1985 and 1987 and second-team All-Pro in 1986, 1988 and 1991. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1986 and 1987. McMichael reached double digits in sacks three times with 10.0 in 1984, 11.5 in 1988 and 10.5 in 1992.

McMichael did not miss a game over the final 12 years of his NFL career. As a member of the Bears, he appeared in 191 games with 157 starts before playing his final season with the Packers in 1994. His 95.0 career sacks rank third in NFL history by a defensive tackle.

After retiring from the NFL, McMichael enjoyed a successful second career in professional wrestling, most notably as a member of the iconic Four Horsemen in World Championship Wrestling from 1995-99.

More recently, McMichael co-hosted a Bears pregame show with the late Jeff Dickerson on Chicago's ESPN 1000, served as head coach of the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League from 2007-2013 and ran for Mayor of Romeoville, Ill., in 2012, losing to incumbent John Noak.

McMichael was previously married to Debra (nee Marshall) from 1985-98. He married Misty (nee Davenport) in 2001, and their daughter Macy was born Jan. 22, 2008. He is survived by Misty, Macy, his sisters Sharon and Kathryn, brother John (Becky), niece Brennan and nephew Ricky.

Personally, I grew up in the Chicago area as a Bears fan and had great appreciation for McMichael. The first time I met him was in 1983 during a visit to a training camp practice in Lake Forest when I was a high school junior. I asked him to take a photo with me and he graciously agreed (as you can see below).

Fast forward to 1992 after I had just been hired as managing editor of the Chicago Bear Report newspaper. I was in a back corner of the locker room interviewing defensive end Trace Armstrong when I noticed McMichael, just a few feet in front of me, pick up the most recent edition of the Bear Report. As he flipped through the pages, he grew angrier and angrier. Finally, he spiked the newspaper to the ground and shrieked, "This (expletive) thing never has my picture in it!" Though unexpected, I thought his reaction was funny. I mean, this was a Super Bowl champion, someone who could not walk down any Chicago street without being mobbed by fans, but yet he was still upset that his picture wasn't in the Bear Report! I made sure that didn't happen again the following week.

Another time, I was interviewing McMichael at his locker—while he was sharpening a gigantic hunting knife with serrated edges a few feet from my face. I did not fear for my personal safety, but it was clear that he was trying to intimidate me and discourage tough questions. I soon discovered that that was just his way of having fun and that McMichael was really a teddy bear inside a gruff exterior.

I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with Steve over the years: Hearing his amazing stories at Bears fan conventions and alumni events. Listening to him tell (inappropriate) jokes and make prank phone calls to Hampton during a 2012 trip to the White House with the 1985 Super Bowl XX champions. And watching an entire room of NFL hopefuls listen intently to his words of advice during an appearance at a Bears rookie minicamp dinner at Halas Hall.

I'm extremely thankful for every moment I got to spend with him throughout the years. Honestly, there was never a dull moment. When McMichael was voted into the Hall of Fame last February, his family invited the Bears and a small select group into their home to be by his side in celebration—and again in August when he was enshrined. Both experiences are ones that I will always cherish and never forget. When I was there in August, I put an orange "Team Mongo" band on my wrist, and I still have never taken it off.

With his well-deserved inclusion into the Hall, I wrote a five-part series on him where, as a fan, I relived his great moments. During that process it was clear that so many others who spent time with him felt the same way about Steve as I do. The camaraderie that existed between him and his former teammates was special. It was incredible for me to witness that bond when they gathered around his bed as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as they formed a huddle around him as if they were back on the field demolishing the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Those who knew or cheered for Steve "Mongo" McMichael as a football player or pro wrestler are now experiencing a great loss. But the impact he made and the memories he created will last forever. I know that I will continue to honor him by wearing the wristband that reminds me every day that I'm a proud member of "Team Mongo."