Chicago Bears legends Steve “Mongo” McMichael and Devin Hester were elected to the Hall of Fame Thursday night. Julius Peppers, who spent four seasons with the Bears, was also given the nod.
Originally drafted by the New England Patriots in 1980 — McMichael, 66, had 92.5 sacks with 12 forced fumbles and 16 fumble recoveries over the next 13 seasons in Chicago after signing in 1981.
The defensive tackle was a dominate member of the vaunted Bears’ 46 defense during the 1985 Super Bowl season. After his playing career, “Mongo” became a professional wrestler for WWF and WCW.
McMichael was named as one of the three finalists to the Hall of Fame’s Senior Committee last August.
Another Bear that tormented opponents also had a strong case in previous years.
The greatest kick and punt returner of all-time, Devin Hester, will be enshrined after being a finalist in 2022 and 2023.
A second-round pick by the Bears in 2006, Hester immediately made an impression by taking a punt 84 yards to the house against the Packers in his first game.
He owns the NFL record with 20 total returns. His most famous is taking the opening kickoff back for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI.
In 2014, Hester joined the Falcons and had the final punt return touchdown of his career — which gave him the record previously held by Deion Sanders.
Julius Peppers was one of the highest-profile free agent signings for Chicago by signing to a $91.5 million deal in 2010. Prior to that, he dominated in Carolina for eight seasons.
Peppers had 37.5 of his 159.5 career sacks with the Bears.
The Hall of Fame announcement came Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony.
