HR0910 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0910 LRB103 42356 ECR 75580 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Homer Glen resident and Chicago Bears' legend Steve McMichael on his long-anticipated entrance into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael played 15 seasons as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL), with 13 of those seasons as a Chicago Bear appearing in a franchise-record 191 straight games; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael, a native Texan, began playing football for the University of Texas Longhorns, where he earned MVP in the 1979 Hula Bowl; he was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1999 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010; and

WHEREAS, At six feet and two inches tall and 270 pounds, Steve McMichael, a charismatic soul, was drafted into the NFL by the New England Patriots in 1980; he only played on that team for a year before becoming a beloved member of the Chicago Bears; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael played for the Bears from 1981 to 1993 and was affectionately known as "Mongo" and "Ming the Merciless" or "Ming" for short; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael's impressive record includes ranking second in Chicago Bears History with 92.5 sacks; and

WHEREAS, During Steve McMichael's tenure with the Bears, he helped his team win six division champions; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael's performance was instrumental in the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl XX victory and is considered among the greatest defensive performances in NFL history; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael was a two-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time second-team All-Pro, and a two-time Pro Bowler; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael was named the 19th best player in Bears history by writers Don Pierson and Dan Pompei in the Chicago Bears Centennial Scrapbook in 2019; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael was described by the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka as the toughest player he ever coached; and

WHEREAS, During Steve McMichael's era, he helped the Bears set numerous defensive team records, including fewest yards allowed with 3,863 and most sacks with 72, including 10 made by McMichael; and

WHEREAS, The Bears' 72 total sacks still stands as an NFL record, and Steve McMichael's 95.0 career sacks rank fourth in NFL history by a defensive tackle; and

WHEREAS, Steve McMichael was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, garnering the required 80% of the vote from a 50-member Selection Committee; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Steve "Mongo" McMichael on his much-deserved 2024 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we thank Steve McMichael for his commitment and devotion to the Chicago Bears and his legendary contribution to the history of the Bears and professional football; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Steve McMichael and his family as a token of our esteem and respect.