Tag: ALS

Commanders season opener in 59 days: Washington’s best No. 59

London Fletcher is the greatest to wear No. 59 in Washington franchise history.

Commanders Wire continues a countdown to the Commanders season opener for 2023 in 59 days. Who was Washington’s best player wearing number 59?

Brad Dusek (1974-81) was drafted by the Patriots (3rd round in the 1973 draft. But just before the season began, Dusek was traded to the Redskins. Playing all 14 games of the season on special teams in 1973, Dusek became a starter in the 1974 season. For the next five seasons, Dusek played in and started each and every game for Washington. He appeared in every game during the 1980 season, starting 14 of the 16 regular season games. Dusek started nine of his ten 1981 games, ending his NFL career. The former Texas A&M Aggie recovered three fumbles for Washington that he returned for touchdowns. Sadly Dusek, in recent years, is battling ALS.

London Fletcher (2007-13) came to Washington after having played four seasons for the Rams (1998-2001) and five for the Bills (2002-2006). Fletcher was Mr. Dependable, as he played in all 16 games each season of his NFL career. In his seven Washington seasons, Fletcher started every single game of those regular seasons. Fletcher earned four consecutive Pro Bowl trips with Washington (2009-12) when he was ages 34, 35, 36 and 37. When Fletcher was age 36 in 2011, he led the NFL with 166 combined tackles.

Steve Gleason wins Halloween with creepy ‘Dexter’ costume at Saints-Raiders game

There were a lot of fans in costume at Sunday’s game between the Saints and Raiders on the eve of Halloween, but the legendary Steve Gleason won the day. See for yourself:

There’s no question who won Halloween this year: it’s Steve Gleason. The legendary former New Orleans Saints special teams ace was a guest on the sidelines at Sunday’s game with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he arrived in costume (as did many fans) to celebrate the holiday. Gleason wore a sheet of plastic wrap around his head with “Dexter” written in red across his forehead, in a startling reference back to the iconic Showtime TV series centering on a serial killer who hunts others like him.

Gleason later joked on Twitter that he wanted to “be an model of sacrifice & commitment to the Saints by holding my breath for the whole game.” It’s an alarming visual, but it was a relatively safe stunt for Gleason. He underwent a tracheotomy during his yearslong battle with ALS to allow him to breathe through an external tube connected to his throat, so he wasn’t in any danger here.

That’s not to say there’s no risk involved (and you definitely shouldn’t try a stunt like this at home), but Gleason himself has often said there’s risk in almost anything for someone in his position. His motto is to “Live impossible” and he’s still embodying it. It’s great to see him and his family catching up with old friends in the Superdome after all these years. That he’s able to joke around and celebrate a Saints victory just makes it a little more rewarding.

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Former Raiders RB Steve Smith dies at 57 after battle with ALS

Former Raiders fullback Steve Smith has died after a 20-year battle with ALS

The Las Vegas Raiders family and entire NFL are mourning the loss of former running back Steve Smith, who died Saturday after a battle with ALS.

Smith was 57 and had fought the disease for two decades.

Smith was drafted in the third round by the Raiders in 1987 after starring at Penn State, where he helped the Nittany Lions win the national championship in the 1986 season.

Smith, primarily a fullback, ran for 1,627 yards and nine TDs in seven seasons for the Raiders and two in Seattle. He blocked for Bo Jackson, among others.

“He laid his body on the line for me hundreds of times,” Jackson told the York Daily Record in December of 2019.  “I’m just glad God let him stay around as long as he has so I can go see him. … I want to do my part to make sure he’s not forgotten.”

Per the York Daily Record:

Though Smith could not walk or talk or even hold his wife’s hand in more than a decade, he could communicate through his glances, expressions and words on a computer screen controlled with his eyes.

He decided to live with machines to help him breathe and eat because he wanted to fight for a cure.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Tunch Ilkin dies at 63 after battle with ALS

ALS has claimed the life of former Steelers lineman Tunch Ilkin

The Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans are mourning the loss of one of the team’s stars as former offensive lineman Tunch Ilkin died after a battle with ALS.

Ilkin was 63 His death was first reported Saturday by KDKA.

He announced in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with ALS — Lou Gehrig’s disease — but continued in his role for the 2020 season. His 23 years as a Pittsburgh broadcaster came to an end in June when he retired to focus on his battle.

Overall, Ilkin spent 37 years working in professional football, 14 as a player, followed by 23 as a broadcaster with the Steelers.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1957, Ilkin went on to become a sixth-round pick out of Indiana State. He was backup for three seasons before becoming a full-time starter at tackle in 1983 and started 141 games. He made the Pro Bowl twice as a Steeler in the 1980s.

He was the first Turk to play in the NFL.

He is part of the 2021 class into the team’s Hall of Honor, joined by fellow tackle Jon Kolb, defensive back Carnell Lake, and wide receiver Louis Lipps.

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Former Chicago Bear Steve McMichael reveals ALS diagnosis

Former Chicago Bears defensive star Steve McMichael revealed he is battling ALS

Steve McMichael, one of the stars of the great Chicago Bears Super Bowl Shuffle team, has been diagnosed with ALS it was reported Friday.

The defensive lineman played college football for the University of Texas at Austin, and was an All-American. He played for the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers, winning Super Bowl XX with the Bears in January 1986.

He also wrested professionally. McMichael was known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

McMichael has been a regular presence on Chicago sports radio for several years.

Per WGNTV:

McMichael, 63, was first diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the Mayo Clinic in January, a second opinion at Rush Hospital confirmed the Mayo Clinic diagnosis.

“I’m not going to be out in the public any more…you’re not going to see me out doing appearances, hell I can’t even sign my name any more, and everybody’s going to be speculating ‘Where’s McMichael, what’s wrong with him?” McMichael said. “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.”

A GoFundMe was started to help with the cost of medical care.

“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end,” McMichael told Chicago Tribune.

“What I used to be is the antithesis of what I am now,” said McMichael, nicknamed “Mongo” in tribute to Alex Karras’ character in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy, “Blazing Saddles.” “This is a humbling thing, brother.”

Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett, tweeted.

McMichael finished his NFL career with 95 sacks, 92.5 as a Bear. He played 13 seasons in Chicago, sandwiched around a year with the Patriots, who drafted him in the third round, and a final season as a Green Bay Packer.

 

Former Bears great Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael diagnosed with ALS

Former ‘85 Bears great Steve McMichael is in a fight for his life as he battles ALS.

One of the most outgoing, gregarious, and larger-than-life personalities who has ever strapped on a Chicago Bears helmet is now in a fight for his life.

Steve “Mongo” McMichael, one of the key members of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl defense, has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts the nervous system. There is no cure for ALS.

The somber news was first reported in detail by Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.

McMichael was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, about three months ago. The disease effectively shuts down the brain’s ability to communicate with muscles over time. McMichael told Wiederer he’s already lost the ability to move both of his arms, while his legs are getting weaker and weaker by the day. The 63-year old former defensive tackle has lost nearly 60 pounds and the disease isn’t slowing down.

His condition has worsened considerably since he was initially diagnosed in January and needs help from his wife, Misty, to bathe, eat, and everything between.

“This is a humbling thing, brother,” McMichael told Wiederer.

He has one message for those thinking of him and his family: “Say a prayer.”

McMichael played 15 years in the NFL, 13 of which came with the Bears from 1981-1993. He was named First-team All-Pro two times and Second-team All-Pro three times during his career and is listed as one of the 100 Greatest Bears of all time.

After his playing career, McMichael didn’t slow down. He became a professional wrestler in the late ’90s, coached the Chicago Slaughter, an indoor semi-pro football team from 2007 to 2013 and also ran for mayor of Romeoville, IL in 2012.

McMichael was also a regular contributor to ESPN 1000’s Bears coverage, hosting pregame shows from remote locations over the last few years.

A GoFundMe page has been created “by friends to help defray the mounting cost of Steve’s daily care and medical needs.”

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WATCH: Texans coach Bill O’Brien accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from his high school alma mater, St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass.

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien doesn’t back down from a challenge.

On Friday, the former St. John’s Prep alumnus was challenged by his high school alma mater’s state champion football team to continue the Ice Bucket Challenge in memory of Peter Frates, who lost his battle with ALS and attended St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass., with O’Brien in the ’80s. Frates, a former college baseball player, was one of the key figures in leading off the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has raised over $100 million for ALS awareness and research.

“So, I’m here to honor the memory of Peter Frates and to also implore and help everybody to do what they can in research and development and whatever it takes to get rid of ALS,” O’Brien said from the Texans’ practice fields at Houston Methodist Training Center Friday. “So, I accept the challenge from my high school football team and I hereby challenge some of my former teammates at St. John’s back in the ’80s. I send this challenge out to Mike Panos, George Delaney, Barry Field, Todd Wright, and Eric Pittmann.”

“The challenge is now yours,” O’Brien said.

For more information on the Ice Bucket Challenge, visit ALSA.org.

Tom Brady commemorates Pete Frates for ALS research, impact on the community

One of Boston’s most impactful leaders, Pete Frates, passed away on Monday after a long-fought battle with ALS. 

One of Boston’s most impactful leaders, Pete Frates, passed away on Monday after a long-fought battle with ALS.

Frates, 34, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 27 and he spent his time raising awareness for the incurable disease. He was a Massachusetts native who change the lives of many, while tirelessly fighting his own battle. Frates began the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised over $220 million for research and medical assistance.

Many people showed respect for Frates after his passing, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

“The only thing greater than his impact on ALS research was his impact on our community,” Brady said in a tweet. “Thank you for your strength and courage under the toughest circumstances. We lost a great soul yesterday, Rest In Peace, Pete.”

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