Let’s derail from hectic training camps and head to something wholesome. The Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony is just around the corner. The players are ready to put on the golden jacket and etch their names in the history. August 5 will add a new page in the history books and some top-tier football players will be enshrined for their gold “Gold Standard” of football.

The wheels are set in motion and all we have to do is wait. But while we’re anxiously waiting, let’s take a trip back in time and find some interesting facts about the Hall of Fame ceremony. For instance, which teams have the greatest number of Hall of Famers in their history books?

We cannot even fathom the fact that the first football game ever played was in 1869 (Princeton vs. Rutgers). What’s harder to fathom is the fact that the Chicago Bears are one of the oldest teams in league history. It only makes sense for the Windy City team to have the most Hall of Famer’s in the history of their franchise.

So how many Bears have made it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Over the last 104 years of the team’s existence, the Bears managed to produce 37 HOF’ers with the Packers, Cowboys and Giants following them up. To make things easier, here’s a visual of what Hall of Fame history looks like. There are only 13 teams with more than 20 Hall of Famers and there are only 5 with more than 30.

Let’s just stay focused on the Chicago Bears for a second. Bears legends Devin Hester (WR) and the great Steve McMichael (DT) and Julius Pepper (DE) will be the Hall of Fame enshrines this time around. But let’s not steal the moment away from Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Andre Johnson, and Patrick Willis either.

While people can’t wait to witness, these players put on the golden jacket, there’s a heartbreaking story coming in from the Bears’ side of NFL. Unfortunately, Steve McMichael will not be attending the ceremony.

The twisted fate of Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael

The Super Bowl XX winner is going through the advance stages of ALS and has sadly lost the ability to move or speak. Hence, he will not be physically attending the honorary event in Canton, Ohio. However, he’s put together a message and deliver it through his eye-gazing device: “Hello Chicago. Thank you, Chicago.”

“Ming The Merciless” was as tough as they come. His wife, Misty McMichael, got a bit emotional about her husband’s condition. “He would cut a scorcher,” said Misty. “He would have been amazing.” The 2x Pro Bowler had a brazen, unforgettable personality and his contribution to sports extended way beyond football.

He became one of the few people to become a commentator for Monday Night Wars for the World Wrestling Federation and joined Ric Flair later. He even did professional wrestling for 5 years in 1990! His brash personality, hated by many, got praises from great George Halas.

“I’ve heard what kind of dirty rat you are in practice. Don’t change, Steve,” said Halas to McMichael.

McMichael was something else, an unstoppable phenom who struck fear in the eyes of his opponents. He played 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993 and ranks second to Richard Dent on Bears’ all-time sack list with 92.5.

His wife admitted the most heartbreaking yet the most brave thing about him. “He’s scared to die and he shouldn’t be because he’s the most badass man I’ve ever known inside and out,” Misty McMichael said. “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 3rd and then, you know, I don’t want to see him suffer anymore. He’s been suffering.”