What happened to Steve Gleason? The former New Orleans Saints safety has spent the past 15 years living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while continuing to advocate for people affected by the disease and inspire fans across New Orleans and beyond.
Gleason remains one of the most beloved figures in Saints history, not only because of his famous blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in 2006, but also because of the courage and determination he has shown since his ALS diagnosis.
Who Is Steve Gleason?
Steve Gleason is a former New Orleans Saints safety who became an iconic figure in the franchise’s history. Although his NFL career was relatively short, his impact on the Saints and the city of New Orleans became much bigger than football.
Gleason is best remembered for his role in the Saints’ first home game at the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.
The moment came on Sept. 25, 2006, when the Saints faced the Atlanta Falcons in their first home game at the Superdome since the devastating hurricane. Early in the game, Gleason blocked a punt by Falcons punter Michael Koenen.
The ball bounced backward into the end zone, where former Saints teammate Curtis Deloatch recovered it for a touchdown.
The play immediately became one of the defining moments in Saints history.
Steve Gleason Blocked Punt After Hurricane Katrina
The Steve Gleason blocked punt has become synonymous with the emotional return of the Saints to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
The Superdome had been severely damaged by the hurricane, and the city was still rebuilding when the Saints returned home in 2006.
Gleason’s blocked punt helped ignite the crowd and gave New Orleans a powerful sporting symbol of recovery.
The Saints went on to defeat the Falcons 23-3, but the blocked punt became the lasting image of the night.
Twenty years later, the moment continues to be remembered as part of the Saints’ identity and New Orleans’ recovery story.
What Happened to Steve Gleason?
The biggest turning point in Gleason’s life came in 2011, when he was diagnosed with ALS.
ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Over time, the disease can affect movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.
Gleason has now lived with ALS for 15 years.
He explained in a 2026 interview that he can no longer move, speak or breathe independently. He communicates using his eyes and a specialized tablet that allows him to construct sentences letter by letter.
He also relies on a ventilator to breathe.
Despite the enormous physical challenges, Gleason continues to describe his life as meaningful and filled with love for his family, including his wife Michel and their children, Rivers and Gray.
Steve Gleason ALS Journey
The Steve Gleason ALS story has become much larger than one former football player battling a devastating disease.
Following his diagnosis, Gleason used his public platform to raise awareness about ALS and improve the lives of others living with the condition.
He founded Team Gleason in 2011, an organization dedicated to supporting people living with ALS and helping provide access to technology, equipment and other resources.
His diagnosis also connected him with other former NFL players who have experienced ALS, including Tim Shaw, O.J. Brigance and others.
Gleason has described these athletes as his NFL brothers, emphasizing that people and families affected by ALS should not have to face the disease alone.
Team Gleason and His Continued Advocacy
Team Gleason has become an important part of Gleason’s legacy.
The organization has worked to help people with ALS live more independently and make use of technology that can improve communication and daily life.
For Gleason personally, the visibility created by his famous Saints moment helped him build a platform for ALS advocacy.
He has said that the blocked punt became a lifeline after his diagnosis because it gave him visibility at a time when he needed it.
Gleason Saints Legacy Lives On
The connection between Gleason and the Saints remains extremely strong.
In 2026, the Saints marked the 20th anniversary of their return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. Gleason and former teammate Curtis Deloatch were recognized as “Legends of the Game” for their roles in the historic 2006 victory.
The Saints also honored Team Gleason during the game, with the organization benefiting from the game’s 50/50 raffle.
For many fans, Gleason represents much more than a former Saints player. He represents resilience, community and the spirit of New Orleans.
Steve Gleason, the Superdome and Domecoming
The return to the Superdome has special meaning for Gleason.
The 2006 Saints game became a symbol of New Orleans rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, and the stadium has remained closely connected to Gleason’s personal story.
The anniversary celebrations, sometimes referred to in the broader Saints community as Domecoming, offered an opportunity to look back at the night that changed both the franchise and Gleason’s life.
Gleason has described returning to the stadium as more than revisiting a football game. For him, it represents a place that learned how to rise again.
Eric Church and Gleason’s New Orleans Connections
Gleason’s influence has also extended beyond football and ALS advocacy into New Orleans’ creative community.
He recently worked on a new album titled “Rebirth,” a project combining his poetry with music from New Orleans musicians.
The project reflects Gleason’s continued connection with the city and its artists.
Names such as Eric Church have also been associated with the broader world of football and New Orleans entertainment surrounding the Saints’ celebrations, but Gleason’s own creative project is particularly rooted in local New Orleans musicians and culture.
Mike Tirico and the Saints’ Tribute
The story of Steve Gleason has received national attention for years, with major broadcasters and sports personalities helping keep his story in the public spotlight.
Mike Tirico and other prominent NFL media figures have been part of the broader coverage surrounding the Saints, Gleason and the emotional significance of the Superdome’s return.
The continued attention reflects how Gleason’s story has moved far beyond a single NFL game.
Scott Fujita and the Saints Connection
Gleason also remains connected to members of the Saints teams from the era surrounding the historic 2006 season.
Former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita was among the players associated with that memorable period in franchise history, when New Orleans returned to prominence after Hurricane Katrina.
The players from that era remain an important part of the Saints’ history, with Gleason’s blocked punt standing as perhaps the most recognizable moment from the Superdome’s emotional reopening.
What Happened to Gleason From the Saints?
So, what happened to Steve Gleason of the New Orleans Saints?
Gleason retired from football and later received an ALS diagnosis in 2011. The disease has progressively taken away his ability to move, speak and breathe independently.
But his story did not end with his diagnosis.
Instead, Gleason became one of the most prominent ALS advocates in the United States. Through Team Gleason, public appearances, technology advocacy and creative projects, he has continued working to help others living with the disease.
His 2006 blocked punt also took on a new meaning after his diagnosis.
What was once simply a great football play became a symbol that helped sustain Gleason’s advocacy work.
Chase Young, Barion Brown and the New Generation of Saints Players
The Saints have continued to build new generations of players long after Gleason’s playing career ended. Players such as Chase Young and Barion Brown represent a much newer era of New Orleans football.
While their roles are very different from Gleason’s, his legacy remains part of the culture surrounding the Saints.
The story of Gleason reminds today’s players that their influence can extend beyond statistics and the scoreboard.
Saints Player With ALS: Why Gleason’s Story Matters
When people search for the Saints player with ALS, they are usually referring to Steve Gleason.
His experience has helped bring unprecedented attention to ALS and the challenges faced by people living with the disease.
Gleason has used technology to communicate and remains active in advocacy despite the severe progression of his condition.
His message has remained remarkably positive: ALS has changed how he lives, but it has not eliminated his ability to love his family, appreciate life or help others.
Steve Gleason’s Legacy
Steve Gleason’s legacy is now about far more than football.
Yes, he is the Gleason Saints player remembered for the blocked punt against Atlanta. Yes, that play helped define the Saints’ emotional return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
But his greatest impact may be what came afterward.
His battle with ALS transformed him into an advocate, innovator and symbol of resilience. Through Team Gleason, he has helped countless people living with ALS gain access to technology and support.
Twenty years after the famous blocked punt, Gleason remains deeply connected to the Saints and New Orleans.
His story is ultimately one of football, tragedy, perseverance and hope — a story that continues long after the final whistle.
Leave a Reply