Tag: Steve McMichael

66 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 66 for New England

Here’s a list of every Patriots player to wear the No. 66 jersey number.

Another day in the books, and now, the New England Patriots are 66 days away from their regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 10.

We’re continuing our countdown series, which has us listing every Patriots player that has ever worn a No. 66 jersey.

One of the names on the list is an unsung hero from the early championship teams. Long snapper Lonie Paxton, who is a member of the Patriots’ All-Dynasty Team, joined the same year Bill Belichick was hired as the head coach, and he served as a reliable specialist for New England for nine straight seasons.

NFL historians and perhaps even professional wrestling fans will remember Steve “Mongo” McMichael as another former player that wore the No. 66 jersey for a time being in New England.

There were clearly many others, and we’re looking at all of them today. Here’s every Patriots player that has ever worn No. 66 (via Pro Football Reference):

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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Bleacher Report lists Texas among schools who are ‘Defense U’

Bleacher Report is wrapping up a series in positional “U”, in which they crowned the top defensive school. The Longhorns were among them.

It seems to be an ongoing debate. Who is “DBU” or defensive back university. The usual suspects are Florida, Alabama, Ohio State, Louisiana State or Texas. Bleacher Report posed the question of who can claim “Defense U”. Texas was among the teams who made the cut just outside of the top three.

The top three schools should come as no shock with Florida State, Southern California and Miami (FL). The basis of the argument dates back from 1970 to current. For the Longhorns, they were the last team listed in the honorable mentions.

Casey Hampton, Doug English and Steve McMichael on the defensive line. Derrick Johnson and Brian Orakpo at linebacker. Earl Thomas, Jerry Gray and Raymond Clayborn in the secondary. There are no “best of all time” candidates in the bunch, but that’s a nice collection of alumni at all three levels of the defense, featuring a dozen multiple-time Pro Bowlers. That combination of factors made Texas the toughest school to cut out of our top three.

Prior to 1970, there was a man named Tommy Nobis who was viewed as one of the all-time greats in college football. However, bases on the criteria he was just outside of their scope as he finished his collegiate career in 1965. Had B/R expanded their list to a top five, the Longhorns are likely listed at number four of the greatest defensive talent schools in the last 50 years.

Other notable names that played defense at Texas were defensive end Bill Atessis (1968-70), defensive back Johnnie Johnson (1976-79), and defensive end Kiki DeAyla (1979-82). DeAyla still holds the school record for most sacks in a season (22.5 sacks) and for a career (40.5).

Countdown to Texas Football: Greatest 99 and 98 in Longhorns history

In a countdown to the 2020 season, we remember the best players in Texas Longhorns history. Who were the best to wear 99 and 98?

College football is set to kickoff the season on September 5th. For the Texas Longhorns they are scheduled to host the South Florida Bulls at Darrell K. Royal-Memorial Stadium in Austin. That kickoff is set for 98 days (at time of publishing) from now. In a kickoff series we remember the best players in Texas Longhorns history.

Continue reading “Countdown to Texas Football: Greatest 99 and 98 in Longhorns history”

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