According to The Associated Press, the late NFL Hall of Famer and former WCW star Steve McMichael has been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), as reported by the Concussion & CTE Foundation.
CTE is a degenerative brain disease associated with athletes who participate in contact sports, combat veterans, and others who suffer from repeated head trauma. The disease can lead to violent mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression, and it is only diagnosable after death.
McMichael played for the Chicago Bears, helping the team secure a Super Bowl victory in 1985. He ended his NFL career in 1994 after playing for the Green Bay Packers. Following his football career, he transitioned into professional wrestling. In 2021, McMichael revealed his diagnosis of ALS, a condition that leads to the loss of muscle control.
McMichael passed away last year at the age of 67 after being diagnosed with ALS. His wife, Misty McMichael, later shared that her husband had donated his brain for concussion research. After exploring the connection between ALS and CTE, he pledged to have his brain studied, as noted by Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion and CTE Foundation and a former WWE Superstar.
