CANTON, Ohio — Several former Chicago Bears will be enshrined in the Canton Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, and one former Bear who already has his bust in Canton — Richard Dent — Stopped to talk about how much it means to see Steve “Mongo” McMichael join a number of his teammates from the legendary 1985 Bears in the hall of fame.
“It means a lot. This is something that he talked about with me a long time ago [about] this situation that stands today,” Dent said. “It’s always been my honor, that if it took place, to make sure we do what he asked for. To me, it’s a pleasure to see this situation take place. Where ever his life goes from this point, he can rest in peace.”
Referred to as “Mongo” and “Ming the Merciless” — Characters in the film “Blazing Saddles” — McMichael racked up 92.5 sacks in his 13 years with Chicago, which was second only to Dent’s 137.5.
McMichael and Dent, alongside the likes of Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, helped form the vaunted “46 defense,” ran by then-Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan.
While McMichael and Dent were teammates from 1982 through 1991, Chicago gave up the fewest points, rushing yards and total yards allowed in the NFL over that time period.
Former Bears Devin Hester and Julius Peppers will receive their gold jackets at a ceremonial dinner celebration in Canton Friday night, with McMichael’s jacket and hall of fame bust being flown to his home in Homer Glen Saturday morning to be presented as the official induction ceremony kicks off Saturday afternoon.