In a deeply moving gesture that has left fans, former players, and the entire NFL community in awe, former Chicago Bears head coach John Fox has donated a staggering $10 million to help cover the long-term medical expenses of Steve “Mongo” McMichael, the beloved Bears legend currently battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
The donation was quietly made through the McMichael Family Foundation, but news of it surfaced over the weekend, sparking an outpouring of emotion across social media and in the sports world.
“Steve McMichael is a warrior. He gave everything he had to the game and to the city of Chicago,” Fox said in a statement. “Now it’s our turn to give back to him and his family with the same love and loyalty he always showed us.”
A Powerful Moment of Brotherhood and Compassion
The emotional weight of the gesture was felt beyond the donation itself. Fox reportedly visited McMichael’s hospital room in person, spending hours by his side, reminiscing about their shared football roots and sharing laughs with McMichael’s wife, Misty.
Witnesses say there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“Coach Fox walked in and everything just stopped,” said a hospital staffer. “The love, the respect — it was overwhelming. Steve was emotional. We were emotional. You could feel the history between them.”
Fans and the NFL Community Respond
As news spread, tributes poured in from across the NFL:
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Mike Ditka, McMichael’s former coach, said: “This is the kind of loyalty and brotherhood that defines Chicago football. God bless John Fox.”
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Brian Urlacher called the donation “the ultimate sign of respect from one warrior to another.”
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Social media hashtags like #StandWithMongo and #ThankYouCoachFox began trending within hours.
Legacy Bigger Than the Game
Steve McMichael, a key member of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning Bears, has been bravely battling ALS since 2021. His condition has worsened in recent months, with round-the-clock care and mounting medical costs placing strain on his family.
Fox’s donation, one of the largest ever from a former NFL coach to a player, will help ensure McMichael receives the highest level of care, including experimental treatments and improved accessibility at home and in hospital.
Final Words from the Coach
“It’s not just about football,” Fox said. “It’s about love, it’s about humanity. Steve taught us how to fight — and we’re fighting with him to the very end.”
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