During a ceremony at halftime of Sunday's season opener at Soldier Field, the Pro Football Hall of Fame presented the ring that Bears legend Steve McMichael earned for being part of the Class of 2024 to his wife, Misty, and their daughter, Macy.
"Oh my God, it is so amazing," Misty said before the game. "I've been crying. I've been walking around looking at his beautiful face all over the jumbotrons and I'm just so proud and so amazed that this day is finally here. We've been waiting 26 years for this and we're just so happy and blessed and could not be more excited."
Fellow Hall of Famers Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and Jimbo Covert sat on a movable stage during the proceedings along with Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and President & CEO Kevin Warren. The Hall of Fame was represented by chief communications and content officer Rich Desrosiers.
Misty also received a portrait of McMichael from the Bears and a pendant from the Hall of Fame.
The ceremony began with a pre-recorded message from pro wrestling icon Ric Flair, who remains close friends with McMichael. Longtime McMichael teammate Tom Thayer then introduced Singletary. Thayer described McMichael as one of the NFL's underrated defensive tackles who "terrorized quarterbacks."
"When you define leadership, you define Steve McMichael," Thayer said. "His dedication in the weight room, the locker room, and on this field was an example for all of us to follow. When you talk about playing for the man next to you, you have to talk about Steve McMichael."
Singletary spoke about McMichael's unique personality.
"From a distance, meeting Ming the Merciless, Mongo, he seemed brash, nasty, ornery," Singletary said. "But when you got to know him, Steve was caring, sensitive and brutally, brutally honest. If you played with him, you knew he was smart, dependable, a professional, someone who was going to do their job. And if you played behind him, like me, he was a blessing."
McMichael played 13 seasons with the Bears from 1981-93, appearing in a franchise-record 191 straight games. The Texas native ranks second in team history with 92.5 sacks, helped the Bears win six NFC Central Division titles and was an instrumental part of the 1985 Super Bowl XX championship defense that many consider to be the best in NFL history. McMichael was a two-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler.
The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is one of three iconic symbols, along with the Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and the Bronze Bust, that represent the elite status of being a member of the Hall of Fame. Each living enshrinee from the Class of 2024 received his Hall of Fame Gold Jacket and unveiled his Bronze Bust during Enshrinement Week in early August.
Unable to travel to the Hall of Fame due to his battle with ALS, McMichael was presented with his gold jacket and bust during an emotional celebration Aug. 3 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. Those who made the round-trip flight included his wife and daughter as well as Covert, Dent and Singletary.
The Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence is created by Kay Jewelers and is set in 14K gold with a total diamond weight of 1.75 carats. The outer diamonds create a "stadium" effect surrounding the football-shaped diamond center.
McMichael's ring is customized with a likeness of his Bronzed Bust. "Defensive Tackle" and "1980-1994" (his years in the NFL), appear on one side, while "McMichael," the Pro Football Hall of Fame logo and "Class of 2024" are on the other. In addition, his enshrinement number (376) is engraved on the inside of his ring.
With the Bears hosting their Alumni Homecoming, several of McMichael's former teammates stood near the stage during the ring ceremony, all wearing No. 76 t-shirts.
"It's very special, knowing that it's well-deserved, knowing that he worked so hard for it, knowing that this means a lot to him and has always meant a lot to him," said former linebacker Jim Morrissey, McMichael's teammate from 1985-93. "I'm very happy that this day has come for him. I couldn't be prouder or happier for him."
