Steve McMichael Net worth: Hall of Famer’s fortune explored as he dies at 67

Steve McMichael, one of the most popular professional football players and wrestlers, died at the age of 67. The former legend passed away due to complications from the neurological disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

According to his publicist, Betsy Shepherd, McMichael died on Wednesday afternoon, April 23, as reported by The Associated Press. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2021.

Following his diagnosis, McMichael told the Chicago Tribune, as reported by CNN on April 23:

“I promise you, this epitaph that I’m going to have on me now? This ain’t ever how I envisioned this was going to end.”

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve McMichael had an estimated net worth of $3 million.

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A huge part of Steve McMichael’s wealth came from his career as a football player

Steve McMichael was an NFL defensive tackle. At the University of Texas, he was unanimously selected to the first team of All-Americans. The New England Patriots selected him with the 73rd overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft.

He played for the Patriots in 1980, the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1983, and the Green Bay Packers in 1994. He was selected to the Pro Bowl twice and won a Super Bowl with the Bears.

After competing as a wrestler in college, McMichael joined The Four Horsemen and worked as a professional wrestler and commentator for World Championship Wrestling from 1995 to 1999.

In addition to co-hosting a Bears pregame broadcast on ESPN 1000 in Chicago, Steve McMichael was the head coach of the Chicago Slaughter from 2007 to 2013 in the Indoor Football League. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Additionally, he was a candidate for mayor of Romeoville, Illinois, in 2013.

McMichael established himself during his career, garnering numerous honors and successes. With the Bears, he won Super Bowl XX. He was also selected twice to the First-Team All-Pro.

In addition, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice and was named to the Second Team All-Pro three times. In 2024, McMichael was chosen for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Steve McMichael's NFL salary ranged from $1.2 million with the Chicago Bears to $400,000 with the Green Bay Packers, as reported by UPI on April 27, 1900. In his last season with the Packers, he played for the same amount.

In 1990, McMichael's agent demanded a $1 million contract per year, but the Bears offered $800,000. Due to his advanced age, Steve McMichael was let go by the Chicago Bears in 1994 with a salary of $1.2 million.

Steve McMichael played his final season with the Green Bay Packers after being released. He also earned between $200k and $500k annually on average. In 2021, his anticipated yearly salary was $1.2 million.

As of April 2025, however, precise information on his earnings, endorsement agreements, and investments in any industry is still not publicly available.

Later, he was diagnosed with ALS. Before his death, McMichael had been experiencing a tingling sensation in his arms, which he assumed was a neck or spine problem from his playing days or his time as a wrestler.

After his diagnosis, Steve McMichael largely withdrew from public life. However, images shared on social media by friends and former teammates demonstrated his decline in health. Before he was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 3, 2024, his wife, Misty McMichael, told The Associated Press:

“He’s scared to die and he shouldn’t be because he’s the most badass man I’ve ever known inside and out… He’s a good man. He’s gonna be in heaven before any of us, so I don’t know what he’s afraid of. But I’ve told him to please hang on ’til the (induction) and then, you know, I don’t want to see him suffer anymore. He’s been suffering.”

Since his passing, Misty has not made any public statements.