Whispers had been circulating that Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael was coming apart physically and struggling to understand why. Any validity to fears that McMichael suddenly was face to face with a bleak diagnosis?

Steve McMichael, the Hall of Fame defensive tackle who was one of the most colorful characters of the 1985 Chicago Bears, died Wednesday after a lengthy battle with ALS.

He was a ferocious part of a dominant defense that swept the 1985 Chicago team to victory in the Super Bowl. After 15 N.F.L. seasons, he became a pro wrestler.