Mongo

We may know him as Bam Bam but a life is being taken away before our eyes. Sad to see but glad he seems to have accepted his fate. Another good reason to live your best life today and leave no regrets.

Chicago Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael shares glimpse inside his ALS battle | America Strong

 

A great person and true Longhorn Legend. His hit on Curtis Dickey will always be one of the greatest in Texas history.

I've posted before that he showed up in the weight room to talk to two kids I took up to meet with Dana. I had never seen him with young players before. Left a long lasting impression. Neither of those kids had the money for college, but after the visit with Dana & Bam Bam, they both went to work and both got football scholarships to small schools.

 

When I got to the University, an alum told me a funny Mongo story. He said that a politician had come into the UT locker room, drumming up support and handing out pins for the players to stick onto their shirts/jackets. When the politician made his way to Steve, he noticed Mongo was shirtless. So the pol handed McMichael a pin anyway, thinking he'd toss it or save it for later.

Steve smiled, took the pin, and stuck it straight into his own bare chest. He said, "I'll vote for ya!" and then walked away. The politician's mouth dropped wide open. Totally speechless! Ha!

When the news broke, I saw a story from one of the Chicago stations, and Mongo was very specific about prayers. He asked that people pray that God let him into Heaven. It was the most honest thing I'd seen in a long time. Needless to say I prayed exactly for that...and will do so again tonight. HOOK EM

 

This makes me very sad. Within a period of 3 years I lost my mother, a favorite cousin & one of my best friends (an LBJ alum) to ALS. It is a horrible disease. Prayers for Steve & the McMichael family.

 

ALS is a horrible disease. Sorry and sad that Steve and his family have to watch this take it's toll on him.

Tom, a good buddy in Houston, and my ex-boss at 3 different companies I worked for over my career, died at 70 years of age last summer of ALS.

It come out of nowhere. No one in his family ever had it and he died within 9 months of diagnosis. He held it back from most friends until the late stages. It really rocked my world when he died.

 

ALS runs pretty heavy in my family. It is a ****** way to go. Prisoner in your own body. The mind is there but everything else fails.

 

A lady I worked with a few years ago started complaining of ankle pain and thought she must have strained it hiking. Over the subsequent weeks and months she was diagnosed with ALS and the pain extended to the rest of her leg and body. She went from a cane to a walker to a wheelchair. When she lost the ability to talk she had to leave the job, and passed shortly thereafter. Watching her deteriorate so quickly was awful, and I pray Steve and his family find comfort and strength during this time.

 

I sent CDC a tweet last night about Mongo. Requesting a game night dedicated to him. Or, at the very least, a shirt/jersey.

 

Would very much like to see this. How can we make it happen?

 

I do have a prayer list and he will now be on it.

 

see previous thread

 

Lost my mother, a favorite cousin & a best friend (LBJ Grad) to ALS...all within 3 years. Rough 3 years. Horrible disease. Devistates those who have it & those who love the ones who have it. Steve & his family/loved ones are in my prayers.

Love suggestion to CDC. Also, maybe like #60, reserve #99 for bada$$ mofos who earn the number.

 

The first thing is to reach out and see if Mongo is able to make it to DKR. It's a big trip, especially given his condition. And clearly we'd want to make sure he and Mrs. McMichael would want to do it.

If so, I would schedule it for senior night. The last home game of the year. November 26 against K-State. And perhaps this could start a tradition of bringing back alums on senior night. "At UT you will always be remembered, you're always a part of the family" etc.

Edit: Seems like this would go hand-in-hand with the Legacy work!

 

I’ve lost two friends to this rat bastard of a disease. Now I’m losing a third.

This makes me incredibly sad.