Another NFL legend diagnosed with CTE after ALS - what scientists are learning from cases like Steve McMichael

Steve McMichael, the Hall of Fame defensive lineman and key figure on the Chicago Bears’ iconic 1985 Super Bowl team, has been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), researchers revealed this week.

The diagnosis came after McMichael’s death in 2025 following a five-year battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), adding his name to a growing number of former NFL players found to have both conditions.

A pattern that keeps emerging between ALS and CTE

While CTE has become widely associated with football in recent years, its overlap with ALS remains one of the sport’s most concerning, and least understood, patterns.

Studies have shown that former NFL players are significantly more likely to develop ALS than the general population. In brain bank research, a notable percentage of individuals diagnosed with CTE have also shown signs of ALS. McMichael’s case is the latest high-profile example.

Individually, neither diagnosis is rare among former players. But together, they are becoming harder to ignore.

What scientists know, and what they don’t

CTE is a degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma and can only be definitively diagnosed after death. It has been associated with symptoms ranging from mood changes to cognitive decline.

ALS, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive loss of muscle control.

Researchers have found strong evidence linking repeated head impacts to an increased risk of ALS. But a direct cause-and-effect relationship between CTE and ALS has not been fully established.

That uncertainty is why cases like McMichael’s matter. Each one adds to a growing body of evidence and a growing sense of urgency. Before his death, McMichael chose to donate his brain for research, hoping to help scientists better understand the diseases that affected him.

It’s a decision more former players are making as awareness around CTE continues to grow. McMichael, who was known for his toughness and relentless style of play, made one final act that could have lasting impact far beyond his career.

The legacy of a different era

McMichael was a defining piece of one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. The 1985 Bears built their identity on physicality, intimidation, and durability, traits that defined an era of football that looks very different today.

But as more players from that generation age, stories like McMichael’s are becoming part of a more complex legacy. One that includes not just championships, but long-term health consequences.

McMichael’s diagnosis arrives as the NFL (and the sports world in general) continues to grapple with the long-term effects of head trauma. Cases like this don’t necessarily change the science overnight. But they reinforce patterns researchers are still trying to understand and keep attention on the risks tied to the sport.

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