Steve Gleason
Stephen Michael Gleason (born March 19, 1977) is an American former professional football safety who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2007.[1][2] Gleason gained widespread recognition for blocking a punt that was recovered for a touchdown in the Saints' first home game at the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina on September 25, 2006, a play symbolizing the city's resilience and return to normalcy.[3][4] In January 2011, at age 34, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.[5] Despite losing physical mobility, Gleason communicates via eye-tracking technology and has focused on advocacy, co-founding Team Gleason in 2011 to provide assistive devices, equipment, and care services to ALS patients, distributing over $40 million in support.[5][6] The organization has also driven policy advancements, including contributions to the Stephen Beck Jr., Stephen Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act, which expanded Medicare coverage for ALS-related technologies.[7] For his advocacy, Gleason received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020—the first NFL player so honored—and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2024.[7][8]Early Life and Education
Childhood in Spokane
Stephen Michael Gleason was born on March 19, 1977, in Spokane, Washington.[9][10] Raised in the Inland Northwest, Gleason developed an early affinity for the outdoors, particularly the region's rivers, which later influenced family naming decisions.[11] He exhibited a passion for sports from a young age and remained active, enjoying the natural environment of eastern Washington.[10] As a child in Spokane, Gleason became a fan of the Chicago Cubs, drawn to games broadcast on WGN featuring player Ryne Sandberg, despite the team's limited national success during that era.[12]High School Football
Steve Gleason attended Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington, where he played football as a linebacker from 1991 to 1994.[9] As a three-year starter for the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups, he earned three varsity letters and was recognized for his defensive prowess, securing two consecutive most valuable defensive player awards.[9][13] Under coach Don Anderson, Gleason's tenacious style on the field laid the foundation for his later success, despite his relatively undersized frame of 5 feet 11 inches and around 215 pounds.[13][14] In 2013, Gonzaga Prep retired Gleason's jersey number 34 in honor of his high school contributions and subsequent achievements, marking him as part of the class of 1995.[15] His high school performance, characterized by leadership and defensive intensity, drew attention from college recruiters and propelled him toward a scholarship at Washington State University.[9]College Career at Washington State
Gleason enrolled at Washington State University in 1995 and became a four-year letterwinner in football for the Cougars from 1996 to 1999, primarily playing outside linebacker while contributing on special teams.[16][17] As a hard-hitting defender known for his intensity and leadership, he started three seasons and emerged as a key contributor during Washington State's competitive Pac-10 campaigns.[14] He served as team co-captain in his final two seasons (1998 and 1999), helping to foster team resilience amid the program's ups and downs.[16][14] Gleason earned All-Pacific-10 Conference recognition three times for his defensive prowess, culminating in a standout senior year.[16] Over his career, he amassed 282 tackles, ranking ninth in Washington State history at the time of his graduation.[16][18] A highlight of his tenure came during the 1997 season, when Gleason played a role in Washington State's improbable 10-2 campaign that secured a berth in the Rose Bowl, the program's first since 1931.[14] Though the Cougars fell 42-16 to Michigan in the January 1, 1998, matchup, Gleason's contributions on defense and special teams exemplified the gritty style that defined his college play.[18] Following his senior year, he went undrafted in the 2000 NFL Draft but parlayed his college production into a professional opportunity.[17]Professional Football Career
Entry into the NFL
Gleason went undrafted in the 2000 NFL Draft after a college career at Washington State University, where he played as an undersized linebacker.[19] He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft.[20] The Colts released him following the preseason.[20] In November 2000, Gleason signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad.[21] He was elevated to the active roster and made his NFL debut on December 3, 2000, against the Denver Broncos at the Louisiana Superdome, recording a tackle on the opening kickoff of the second half.[19] Despite being waived by the Saints twice during his initial seasons—once in 2000 and again early in 2001—Gleason persisted, transitioning primarily to special teams roles as a safety due to his size and speed.[22]Role with the New Orleans Saints
Steve Gleason joined the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on April 17, 2000, following his college career at Washington State University.[10] Primarily utilized as a safety, Gleason carved out a niche on special teams, where his speed and tackling ability proved valuable in coverage and blocking units.[19] He made his NFL debut on December 3, 2000, recording his first career tackle on the opening kickoff of the second half during a game against the St. Louis Rams.[19] Over seven seasons with the Saints from 2000 to 2006, Gleason appeared in 83 games, starting just one.[23] His defensive contributions included 62 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries, reflecting his role as a rotational player and special teams contributor rather than a regular starter.[24] Gleason's tenacity on coverage teams helped the Saints in punt and kickoff units, often facing high-pressure situations that demanded precise execution.[25] Despite limited offensive or starting defensive snaps, Gleason's reliability earned him a spot on the roster through multiple seasons, including post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when team morale and logistics posed additional challenges.[5] His career underscored the value of undrafted players in providing depth and energy in specialized roles within the NFL framework.[10]Iconic Blocked Punt and Career Highlights
On September 25, 2006, in the New Orleans Saints' first home game at the Louisiana Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, safety Steve Gleason blocked a fourth-quarter punt by Philadelphia Eagles punter Dirk Johnson, with the ball rolling out of the end zone for a safety that provided the Saints with an early 2–0 lead in their 23–3 victory.[4][26] The play occurred early in the second quarter on a fourth-and-13 situation from the Eagles' 26-yard line, symbolizing resilience for a city and franchise still recovering from the devastation of the storm one year prior.[27] Gleason's effort, which involved penetrating the Eagles' punt protection to deflect the kick, was captured in a bronze statue erected outside the Superdome in 2012 to commemorate the moment's cultural significance.[26] Gleason, an undrafted free agent signed by the Saints out of Washington State in 2000, spent his entire seven-season NFL career (2000–2007) with the team primarily as a special teams contributor and rotational defensive back.[23] Over 87 games, he recorded 62 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception, with his most productive defensive season in 2006 featuring 14 tackles and the iconic block.[28] His special teams role included consistent coverage and blocking duties, contributing to the Saints' improved performance during their 2006 playoff run to the NFC Championship Game, though Gleason's statistical impact remained modest compared to starters.[23] Gleason appeared in all 16 games in 2006, logging snaps on punt coverage and return units, which underscored his value in high-leverage situations despite limited starting opportunities.[29]Retirement and Statistics
Gleason announced his retirement from professional football on March 12, 2008, following seven seasons exclusively with the New Orleans Saints, where he had established himself as a core special teams contributor after joining as an undrafted free agent in 2000.[20] The decision came after his final active season in 2006, during which he played in 15 games and achieved a career-high 16 tackles; no specific health issues were cited in the announcement, which emphasized his gratitude for his tenure, recent marriage, and transition to community involvement in New Orleans.[23][20] Over his career from 2000 to 2006, Gleason appeared in 83 games with one start, primarily logging snaps on special teams rather than defense.[23] He recorded 71 total tackles (64 solo, 7 assisted), 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 blocked kicks, including the memorable punt block against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006—the Saints' first home game at the Superdome post-Hurricane Katrina—which directly led to a touchdown and symbolized the city's resilience.[23][28] The Saints credited him with 98 special teams tackles (67 solo), underscoring his role in coverage and blocking units, though league-wide tracking variations account for slight discrepancies in aggregate tackle counts across sources.[20]| Season | Games Played | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Blocked Kicks | Fumble Recoveries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| 2004 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2005 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 83 | 66 | 59 | 4 | 2 |