COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- William "The Refrigerator" Perry's brother says the former Chicago Bears football star is making "baby steps" toward improvement at a North Carolina rehab center.

Perry is the former NFL defensive lineman famous for his smile, 360-pound size and spot on the 1985 Super Bowl team. He spent more than a month at Aiken Regional Medical Center this spring, suffering from Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disease where the body's immune system attacks its peripheral nerves.

Perry's doctors in Aiken saw his condition improve enough to release him in late May.

Michael Dean Perry visits his famous 46-year-old brother sometimes to encourage him and sometimes to participate in his lengthy recovery.

Perry played 10 NFL seasons before retiring.

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