Steve McMichael's CTE Diagnosis Highlights ALS Risk

0:00On April 7th, Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, who helped the Chicago Bears win Super Bowl 20, got diagnosed with Stage 3. Chronic, Traumatic, and Sevalopathy after his death. The concussion and CTE Foundation announced it this week. He passed away on April 23rd, 2025, at age 67, following a 5-year fight with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease. McMichael starred on those dominant 85 Bears defenses, but his later years were tough with ALS, a condition that attacks the nerves. Controlling muscles. CTE, linked to repeated head hits, can only be confirmed post-mortem through brain tissue. His wife Misty is pushing this news to spotlight the tie between CTE and ALS. She donated his brain for research, noting how too many NFL players face ALS while alive in CTE findings later. Experts point to solid evidence connecting repeated brain trauma to ALS risks, especially in football. This case adds to growing data on former players.

1:00As more brains get studied, we're inching toward answers that could protect future athletes and spark better treatments. I'm Corey with The Story, and you've been listening to NFL News Today, AI-powered football coverage.