Cole Kmet quote shows impact of Bears great Steve McMichael after HOF induction

The Pro Football Hall of Fame corrected a major error by finally inducting Chicago Bears legend Steve McMichael into their class of 2024 alongside Devin Hester. With McMichael suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, the Hall believed now was the best time to recognize his legacy.

McMichael will go down in history as one of the defining players on one of the greatest teams in NFL history. McMichael's interior penetration is one of the main reasons the 1985 Bears defense is widely regarded as the best unit the game has ever seen.

McMichael's contributions are not lost on younger generations. Bears tight end Cole Kmet, who grew up in Arlington Heights, remarked that McMichael was always his father's favorite player. He spoke about how great it was to suit up in the Hall of Fame game in McMichael's honor.

“I guess [Dan] Hampton was the good-looking guy...obviously Richard Dent had all the sacks...but McMichael was just kind of the lunch pail guy in the middle,” Kmet said. “A grinder that brought a ton of attitude. He always was drawn to that, so that was pretty cool to hear.”

Cole Kmet shows respect to Steve McMichael after Hall of Fame induction

McMichael may have just two Pro Bowls to his name, but he was an All-Pro four times despite playing in an incredibly competitive era for defensive tackles. With 95 sacks in his career, McMichael ranks as one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in NFL history.

The 1985 Bears now have six players in the Hall of Fame, four of which are on defense. Fellow defensive linemen in Hampton and Dent will welcome McMichael in Canton, as will linebacker Mike Singletary. On offense, Walter Payton and Jimbo Covert also managed to earn induction.

Kmet's adoration for McMichael is not unique, as thousands of Bears fans loved him for the same reasons as his father. Incredibly strong and relentless on the defensive line, McMichael was a no-nonsense player who was able to will his way to 15 seasons in the pros on the back of pure competitive fire and spirit.

While it's a shame that McMichael had to wait decades for induction, only to finally make it in when in poor health, that doesn't erase the lives he touched along the way. Kmet is not alone in fawning over McMichael, who was a perfect fit for the city of Chicago and that era of Bears football.