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Michael Richardson: Ex-Chicago Bears Super Bowl champion arrested for allegedly shooting man, 47, dead

He has been accused of shooting dead 47-year-old Ronald Like whose body was found with a gunshot wound by Phoenix police at an intersection

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Michael Richardson, a former Bears Super Bowl champion was arrested on Wednesday, December 30, for allegedly fatally shooting a man. The former Chicago Bears cornerback was reportedly arrested by authorities and charged with murder in Phoenix, Arizona. He has been accused of shooting dead 47-year-old Ronald Like, according to ABC 15. 

It has been reported that the shooting had taken place on Tuesday, December 29, close to 40th street and Van Buren street in Phoenix. Like was found at an intersection by the Phoenix police with a gunshot wound. 

The police shared that he was immediately taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The police revealed that the former football player was booked on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, misconduct involving weapons as well as a felony warrant. 

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office records, Richardson had been arrested on one count of murder in the second degree, one count of possession of a dangerous drug for sale and one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, stated a report by The ChicagoTribune. 

He was held without bail on the drug charge and was given a $1 million bail on the second-degree murder charge at a bond hearing on Thursday morning, the sheriff's office stated. Richardson was known as LA Mike during his days in the game and was a featured figure in the Super Bowl Shuffle video when he played six of his seven NFL seasons with the Bears. 

During the 1985 season, he had 20 interceptions, which included four picks and a return touchdown. Following the 1989 season, a report from Chicago Tribune went into detail about his troubled life post his retirement. 

At the time, he had been convicted around 21 times on various drug offenses. He later moved back to Chicago and said he was a changed man. He had said, "Some of the negative things I did were almost five years ago. I am a different person today and I would hope fans or the public would move forward because I am a good example of transforming one’s life."

According to an ABC 15 report, Phoenix police had arrested Richardson twice in 2020 on alleged drug possession and he also had a 2018 arrest for alleged theft and possession of meth, crack, cocaine and heroin. 

Besides being a football player, he is also remembered for his role in the 'Super Bowl Shuffle' rap song. He had performed the song alongside his fellow Chicago Bears teammates in 1985. In his solo, he had rapped, "I'm LA Mike and I play it cool. They don't sneak by me because I'm no fool."

He had played with the Bears for six seasons between 1983 and 1988. He had also spent one season with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1989. He has been scheduled to appear in court on January 7. 

Many social media users reacted in shock to the news. One such user shared, "Oh man... he was one of my favorite Bears." Another added, "I can't even find no words. All I can do is cry. Super Bowl 85 was one of the most honorable legendary Teams in US History. I remember the Boys football team coming into my classroom when I was a little girl doing the super bowl shuffle for us. I was 7 years old. Will never forget."