Who is Misty McMichael? Ex-NFL star Steve 'Mongo' McMichael has ALS, needs wife's help for basic movement
Former Chicago Bears footballer Steve McMichael, who was also famous for his professional wrestling career, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The 63-year-old ex-NFL legend looked frail and struggling during an interview with WGN, as he shared, "I’m here to tell everyone I’ve been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, so I’m not going to be a public figure any more.” He was diagnosed with the disease in January 2021.
During the interview, he revealed that he uses a customized wheelchair to move around, which was provided to him by his former team Chicago Bears. His wife Misty McMichael assists him with eating, using the bathroom, and other basic daily activities. The couple has been happily married for over two decades.
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Bears great Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael is suddenly in a vicious fight against ALS.
— Brian Cassella (@briancassella) April 23, 2021
“I thought I was ready for anything,” McMichael says. “But man. This will sneak up on you like a cheap-shotting Green Bay Packer.”
by @danwiederer: https://t.co/GsBRufdjcx pic.twitter.com/RBlNm2L6xP
Who is Misty McMichael?
Misty McMichael is the present wife of Steve 'Mongo' McMichael who was known as Misty Davenport prior to her marriage. The duo got married on March 24, 2001.
Before Misty, Steve McMichael was married to actress Debra Marshall from 1985 to 1998.
Misty McMichael had famously testified in favor of convicted killer Susan Wright, who had made headlines in 2003 for stabbing her husband Jeff Wright 193 times. Misty, who was Jeff Wright's ex-fiancee, stated in court that she had suffered physical abuse in his hands between 1989 and 1991.
Misty McMichael herself was arrested in 2007 for speeding, marijuana possession, and possession of an unregistered gun. She was found with a loaded gun in the trunk of her car, which allegedly belonged to her husband Steve.
At that time, Misty was pregnant with her and McMichael's child. The NFL star defended his wife in the case saying, "Misty absolutely had not been smoking marijuana previous to being stopped by the police and told this fact to the police officer." He also added that the gun in the car did not belong to Misty and it was he who had placed the firearm there, without her knowledge, according to Chicagoist.
Meanwhile, heartbroken fans of Steve McMichael are pouring in their support for the icon through a fundraiser on GoFundMe. At the time of writing this article, the page has raised $67,229 of its $100,000 goal. People can also reach out to support him through obviousshirts.com and teammongo76.com.
Steve McMichael's friend Michael Namoff posted a poignant note on Facebook after the former athlete's ALS diagnosis. With the message "LOVE YOU STEVE ( MONGO )", Namoff said, "Now it’s our turn to help him and his wonderful wife Misty who is doing one heck of a job as her life completely did a 360 - 2 months back."
