Former Bears Great Still Possible for Canton

Bears second all-time sacks leader and owner both have chance to be voted into the Hall of Fame with the 2024 class.

USA Today

Steve McMichael's courageous battle with ALS has captured the attention and hearts of Bears and NFL fans across the country.

Now the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame seniors committee has raised hopes his career could be recognized in Canton as the defensive tackle has made it among the 31 semifinalists for 2024 induction into the Hall.

Also a semifinalist for coaches and game contributors in the same Hall of Fame class is Bears owner Virginia McCaskey, the 100-year-old daughter of team founder George Halas.

McMichael has 95 sacks and made All-Pro and the Pro Bowl twice in his 13-year career, one which ended with one season in Green Bay when he had 2 1/2 sacks. The rest of his sacks came with the Bears. He ranks No. 2 in Bears history with 92 1/2 sacks for the team, and is No. 1 among defensive tackles. He trails only teammate Richard Dent.

McMichael came into the league in 1981 with New England and was cut. The Bears picked him up and he went on to team with Hall of Fame end/tackle Dan Hampton, Dent and William Perry to turn the 1985 defense into a legendary group. He still holds the Bears record for games played at 191.

In 2021 McMichael was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and he has been fighting since then with help from his family and support from former teammates and football followers.

McCaskey turned 100 Jan. 5 and has the official title of secretary of the Bears franchise. She also is on the board of directors and has been empowered to vote the shares of her family members besides here own. She has been a driving force throughout her time around the team for community involvement.

Other former players on the list of semifinalists are:

Ken Anderson, Ottis Anderson, Carl Banks, Maxie Baughan, Larry Brown, Mark Clayton, Charlie Conerly, Roger Craig, Henry Ellard, Randy Gradishar, Lester HayeEs, Chris Hinton, Cecil Isbell, Joe Jacoby, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Mike Kenn, Bob Kuechenberg, George Kunz, Albert Lewis, Jim Marshall, Clay Matthews Jr., Eddie Meador

Stanley Morgan, Tommy Nobis, Art Powell, Sterling Sharpe, Steve Tasker, Otis Taylor, Everson Walls AND Al Wistert.

The other coach/contributor nominees are: K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr., Roone Arledge, C.O. Brocato, Tom Coughlin, Alex Gibbs, Ralph Hay, Mike Holmgren, Frank "Bucko" Kilroy, Eddie Kotal, Robert Kraft, Elmer Layden, Jerry Markbreit, Rich McKay, John McVay, Art Modell, Buddy Parker, Carl Peterson, Dan Reeves, Art Rooney Jr., Marty Schottenheimer, Jerry Seeman, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, Clark Shaughnessy, Seymour Siwoff, Jim Tunney, Lloyd Wells and John Wooten.

Each of the committees will vote next on the 12 seniors and 12 coach/contributors who advance to the next round of the process to become finalists. Those who make it will be announced July 27. The winners among the semifinalists will be announced in August.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven