Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Steve McMichael, who died last year at 67 after a five-year fight with ALS, has been posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, better known as CTE.

The Concussion & CTE Foundation announced that McMichael was diagnosed with stage 3 CTE. CTE can only be diagnosed after death.

McMichael revealed he had ALS in 2021, and pledged his brain to be studied upon his death, according to Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation.

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Steve McMichael of the Chicago Bears runs a play during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 29, 1991. The Cowboys beat the Bears 17-13. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

“Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death,” his wife, Misty McMichael, said in a statement released by the foundation. “I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”

CTE is a degenerative brain disease that has been found in athletes in contact sports, combat veterans, and others exposed to repetitive head trauma. It has been known to cause violent mood swings, impulsive behavior, and depression.

ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.

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Misty McMichael, wife of 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Steve McMichael, poses with his bust during the enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 3, 2024. Steve McMichael was unable to attend due to illness. (Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)

According to a 2021 study by the Harvard Medical School and the Boston University CTE Center, NFL players are more than four times more likely to develop ALS than other men. Dr. Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center, said about 6% of individuals with CTE in the brain bank also have ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“There is strong evidence linking repetitive brain trauma and ALS,” McKee said.

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Steve McMichael smiles during the Chicago Bears training camp in Lake Forest, Illinois, on Aug. 28, 1990. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service)

McMichael, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, was a key member of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl winning season in 1985. McMichael spent 13 seasons of his career with the Bears, racking up 847 combined tackles and 91 sacks in 191 games with Chicago.

McMichael played in the NFL for 15 seasons, spending his rookie season with the New England Patriots, his next 13 with the Bears, and his final one with the Green Bay Packers.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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“Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson and his wife, Ashley, donated a generous $27,000 to a fundraiser for Eric Dane’s daughters, Billie and Georgia, following his death.

The GoFundMe campaign, which was created by friends of the Dane family, sits at $171,555 with the Levinson’s contribution, as of Saturday morning.

The fundraiser was created with a goal of $250,000.

It was reported that a crowd-fundraiser had been started to help Dane’s teenage daughters on Friday, just one day after the actor died.

“Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness. Even as his own health declined, he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease,” reads the campaign description.

“As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.”

After his death, several of Dane’s former “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” co-stars honored the actor with touching tributes.

In a statement to Page Six, Levinson said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of his “dear friend.”

“Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift,” he continued. “Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Dane died Thursday at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS.

“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife [Rebecca Gayheart], and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” his family confirmed in a statement to People.

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”

The family noted that the “Grey’s Anatomy” alum “adored his fans” and “is forever grateful” for the love and support he’s received over the years. They’ve asked for privacy at this “impossible time.”

In the new Netflix series “Famous Last Words,” which was released on Friday only hours after his death was announced, Dane was able to share his final words to his daughters.

“I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?” he started, before sharing one last lesson for his girls.

“I hope you won’t just listen to me, I hope you’ll hear me,” he began. “First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that.”

“For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt,” the “Charmed” alum continued. “I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. ‘I should have done this. I never should’ve done that.’ No more.”