Misty and Steve McMichael have been married for 23 years, but she was never really successful in her past relationships. She even worked a string of lesser-paying jobs, which included professional stripping. But by the time she was 24, she was forced to re-evaluate her life, her relationships, and her jobs.

Today, people know her as a gem of a person who has remained by her husband’s side through thick and thin. Former Bears defensive tackle, Steve McMichael, who has dealt with a lot of health issues, has her by his side.

Drafted by the New England Patriots, he was cut before his second season. That’s when the Bears signed him as a free agent in 1982. Talking about being cut from the Patriots to Chicago Tribune in 1984, McMichael said, “Thank God New England got rid of me. Some teams, they want you to have a certain image. Other teams, like this one, they just want you to get down and dirty. I’m really proud to be a Bear. The Patriots, yeah, they thought I was a little weird. And I guess I am. But here they don’t care, long as you play hard. The town, the coach, the team — it’s Steve McMichael. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

He was not only a pro footballer; he was a pro wrestler as well. Soon after leaving the NFL, he became a wrestler. He was also a member of the famous The Four Horsemen, which also consisted of the famous wrestler Ric Flair. In the end, he retired from wrestling in 1999. But how did he meet his wife?

But one fine Sunday night, decades ago, her life changed forever when a man in his sunglasses with a long ponytail walked into the Pearl Oyster bar at midnight. Misty was sitting at her table reminiscing about past relationships and how she didn’t want to repeat those mistakes. However, when her eyes caught a hunk of a man walking through that door, she sighed, “Holy, cr*p, Who the f**k is that?”

Nonetheless, Misty didn’t have to make the first move, as Steve soon reached her table and sat down next to her. With the worst kind of flirtatious accent, Steve murmured, “You can’t have me,” referring to his huge build. Misty wasn’t backing down as she quickly replied, “Who said I wanted you?”

From then on, the couple was inseparable, thereby leading to their marriage on March 24, 2001. But for Steve, this isn’t the first time he was married. Previously, Steve was married for 13 years to Debra Marshall, but the pair eventually got divorced on October 12, 1998.

Within seven years of marriage, Steve and Misty were blessed with a daughter named Macy Dale. As the married couple would spend their days happily, tragedy engulfed their life, thereby changing them forever. On the cusp of a HOF induction in April 2021, Steve was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Everything that happened from that moment on was a miracle, to say the least, as Misty played her part in a miraculous recovery.

Meet Misty McMichael, who changed her husband’s mind about DNR

As August 2023 came by, Steve McMichael was completely bedridden, losing his abilities to speak and move. However, he did make it clear to Misty that whatever happened, she shouldn’t take him to the hospital. Even if his condition deteriorated, Steve wanted to confine himself snuggled under his Bears’ sheets while reminiscing about old memories. Although everything went smoothly until this moment, Misty McMichael sensed something wasn’t right.

Steve suddenly found himself struck down with a high fever, while his mucus appeared considerably darker. As he was having trouble trying to stay awake, Misty called a doctor who declared her husband’s condition as pneumonia. It was at this second that Misty remembered their “do not resuscitate” agreement. But Misty was helpless as she gripped her husband’s hand tightly, saying, “Honey, the Hall of Fame called, do you remember?”

Misty had no other plan but to bring up this topic as Steve awaited the results of the 2024 HOF class, where her husband was one of 12 senior semifinalists. While doubting her husband’s ability to recover, Misty continued, “Do you want to see it happen, honey? Do you want me to rip up the DNR?”

Misty gave Steve two options, “Blink once for yes, twice for no,” while she grasped her breath, Steve blinked once. He managed to overcome that horrible moment by having Misty by his side tending to him.

More good news followed McMichaels as Hall of Famer Richard Dent, who was a part of the ’85 Bears’ called Misty. His exact words were, “I’ve gotten the privilege to call you guys… to let Steve know that he’s now in the Class of 2024.” Upon hearing the news, Steve and Misty were filled with overwhelming emotions while remembering those moments. Misty often said, “We’re going to Canton!” while staying positive, but she never got a reply from Steve. However, this time, Steve was there to express his emotions while calling out, “Let’s go!”