The world of football lost a legend this week. Longhorn nation lost an all-time legend. Steve McMichael, who played for Texas from 1976 to 1979, passed away on Wednesday, April 23.
McMichael battled ALS for four years, but was able to take the call last year that he had been entered into the NFL Hall of Fame. Nearly 15 years earlier, he was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame for his record-setting career with the Horns.
While at Texas, McMichael set the program record in career tackles (369) and sacks (30) as he and the Longhorns lost just 12 games, winning 34 and tying one.
Steve McMichael's career at Texas
McMichael was a unanimous First-Team All-American and a two-time First-Team All-Southwest Conference member. The Texas native was selected in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft and went on to play a Hall of Fame career for the New England Patriots (1980), Chicago Bears (1981-1993), and Green Bay Packers (1994).
While with the Bears, McMichael won Super Bowl XX and was a two-time Pro Bowler as well as earning five All-Pro honors from 1985 through 1991.
After his passing, the National Football Foundation, which runs the College Football Hall of Fame, released a statement, including quotes from chairman Archie Manning.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve McMichael, a true legend of our game and a beloved member of the College Football Hall of Fame," Manning said. "Steve played with unmatched tenacity and heart, and his accomplishment clearly place him among the greatest to ever play our game. His battle with ALS showed the same strength and spirit that defined him as a player. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all the Longhorn fans across the country."
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McMichael also went on to a professional wrestling career, competing in the World Wrestling Federation, the World Championship Wrestling, and the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
When he passed away, McMichael was just 67 years old and had battled ALS since 2021.