The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
McMichael selected for induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame
02.09.2024 | Football
Former Texas defensive tackle Steve McMichael will be the fifth Longhorn player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
LAS VEGAS – Longhorn Legend Steve McMichael has been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024, the league announced during the annual NFL Honors on Thursday night.
McMichael will be the fifth former Longhorn to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Earl Campbell, Bobby Dillon, Tom Landry and Bobby Layne. In addition to the five Texas Football greats in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Texas Ex Tex Schramm, a Dallas Cowboys and pro football executive for 44 years, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
McMichael was an integral member of the Chicago Bears' famous "46" defense that led the team to a Super Bowl XX championship for the 1985 season. Originally drafted by the New England Patriots in 1980, McMichael signed with Chicago in 1981 and became a two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowl selection. He played 15 years in the league, retiring in 1994 after a final season with Green Bay. He set a Bears franchise record by playing in 191 consecutive games and ranks second in team history with 92.5 sacks. All told, he registered 847 tackles, 95 sacks, 13 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries in 213 NFL games. McMichael had seven seasons with at least eight sacks, becoming one of five defensive tackles since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to have at least seven such seasons.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Longhorn Hall of Honor, Texas High School Sports Hall of Fame and Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame, McMichael was a unanimous first-team All-American in 1979 after leading a Longhorn defense that allowed fewer than nine points per game. A four-year letterman at Texas (1976-79), McMichael was a member of the 1977 Southwest Conference Championship team. He was twice selected All-Southwest Conference (1978-79) and graduated as Texas' all-time leader in career tackles (369) and sacks (30). A finalist for the Lombardi and Outland Awards in 1979, McMichael claimed team and Hula Bowl MVP honors that season after totaling 133 tackles. During his tenure at Texas, he also posted 40 tackles for loss, 99 quarterback pressures and 11 forced fumbles as the Longhorns registered an impressive 34-12-1 record.
McMichael revealed in April 2021 that he is suffering from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was presented with the ALS Courage Award in a ceremony at Soldier Field that September. His wife, Misty, represented him at the Hall of Fame announcement in Las Vegas on Thursday night.
The seven-member Class of 2024 also includes defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, return specialist Devin Hester, wide receiver Andre Johnson, defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Patrick Willis. The seven Hall of Famers will be officially enshrined on Aug. 3 in Canton, Ohio.