Steve McMichael Diagnosed With Stage 3 CTE, Family Announces
On Tuesday morning, the Concussion & CTE Foundation announced that Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael had stage 3 CTE.
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael has been diagnosed with stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family announced Tuesday morning through the Concussion & CTE Foundation.
The diagnosis adds McMichael's name to a growing list of former NFL players found to have the degenerative brain disease, which has been closely linked to repeated head trauma sustained during contact sports careers.
McMichael, best known for his dominant years with the Chicago Bears including the iconic 1985 Super Bowl championship team, had previously been diagnosed with ALS in 2021. His health struggles have drawn widespread attention and support from fans, former teammates, and the broader football community.
CTE is a progressive neurological condition that can only be definitively diagnosed posthumously through examination of brain tissue. It remains unclear how the family and foundation were able to confirm a stage 3 diagnosis, and further details surrounding the clinical assessment were not immediately available.
Stage 3 CTE is associated with significant cognitive decline, mood disturbances, and behavioral changes. The condition is staged on a scale of 1 to 4, with stage 4 representing the most severe form of the disease.
The announcement reignites ongoing conversations about player safety in the NFL and the long-term neurological consequences faced by athletes who played during an era when the risks of repeated head impacts were not fully understood or disclosed.
McMichael's family and the Concussion & CTE Foundation have been vocal advocates for greater awareness and research into brain injuries affecting former professional athletes. The foundation continues to push for improved diagnostics and support systems for players and their families.