Steve Gleason: Block, Punt Block, ALS, Wife and Statue

Steve Gleason is one of the most recognizable former New Orleans Saints players, remembered for a single punt block that became much bigger than a football play. On September 25, 2006, Gleason blocked an Atlanta Falcons punt during the Saints’ first game back at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. The play helped produce a touchdown and became a lasting symbol of New Orleans’ return.

Years later, Gleason’s life took a dramatic turn when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in January 2011. Since then, he and his wife, Michel, have worked to raise awareness of ALS and improve access to technology and support for people living with the disease.

His famous punt block was eventually recreated in a large bronze statue outside the Superdome.

Steve Gleason Punt Block

Steve Gleason’s most famous moment came during the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006.

The matchup was especially significant because it marked the Saints’ return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. The stadium had been severely affected by the disaster, and the game represented an important moment for New Orleans and its sports community.

Early in the first quarter, Atlanta punter Michael Koenen attempted to kick the ball away. Gleason broke through and blocked the punt.

Saints cornerback Curtis DeLoatch recovered the loose football and returned it for a touchdown. The play gave New Orleans an early advantage and helped set the tone for a 23-3 Saints victory.

The play quickly became known simply as “The Gleason Block.”

For Saints fans, however, it represented more than a special-teams play. The moment came during the city’s effort to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, and Gleason’s block became closely associated with the emotional return to the Superdome.

How Did Steve Gleason Get ALS?

One of the most searched questions about Gleason is: How did Steve Gleason get ALS?

The important point is that there is no publicly established explanation showing that a particular incident caused Gleason’s ALS.

Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in January 2011, approximately four years after he finished his NFL career. His diagnosis was made public later that year.

Medical science also cannot identify a specific cause for most ALS cases. According to the CDC, most ALS cases are sporadic, meaning they occur without a clearly identified cause or family history. Researchers continue to investigate genetic and environmental factors.

Therefore, it would be inaccurate to state that Gleason developed ALS because of his football career, a specific injury, or the famous punt block.

There has been research into possible relationships between ALS and different genetic, environmental and occupational factors, but the CDC says no confirmed cause has been found for most cases.

Gleason himself has instead focused much of his public work on living with ALS and helping others affected by the disease.

When Was Steve Gleason Diagnosed With ALS?

Steve Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in January 2011.

At the time, he was 34 years old. His diagnosis came only a few years after his NFL retirement.

Gleason and his wife, Michel, subsequently created Team Gleason. The organization focuses on helping people living with ALS access technology, equipment, services and experiences that can improve their quality of life.

His experience also became the subject of extensive media coverage and the documentary Gleason, which followed his life and family after his diagnosis.

Who Is Steve Gleason’s Wife?

Steve Gleason’s wife is Michel Varisco Gleason.

The couple married in 2008. Michel has remained an important part of Gleason’s personal life and his work surrounding ALS awareness.

Steve and Michel formed Team Gleason after his diagnosis. The organization’s mission includes helping people with ALS live purposeful lives while supporting access to technology and other resources.

Their family includes two children, Rivers and Gray. Steve’s own website says Rivers was born in 2011, while Gray was born in 2018.

Michel has also been involved in telling their family’s story. Their experiences became part of the documentary Gleason and later Steve’s memoir, A Life Impossible.

Steve Gleason and Team Gleason

Following his ALS diagnosis, Gleason did not limit his work to personal advocacy.

He and Michel established Team Gleason, which has focused on improving the lives of people living with ALS through technology, equipment, care services, advocacy and experiences.

The organization has also been involved in broader ALS research efforts. Gleason’s official website describes Answer ALS as a large collaborative research project designed to study the disease and help identify potential treatments.

Technology has been particularly important to Gleason’s story because ALS can progressively affect movement and communication. His advocacy has helped bring attention to assistive technologies that can allow people with disabilities to communicate and maintain independence.

Gleason has also become associated with the phrase “No White Flags,” which became the Team Gleason mantra after his diagnosis.

Steve Gleason Statue

Steve Gleason has a statue outside the Superdome in New Orleans.

The statue is called “Rebirth” and was unveiled by the New Orleans Saints in July 2012. It recreates Gleason’s famous blocked punt against the Falcons from the 2006 game.

The larger-than-life bronze sculpture shows Gleason stretching out to block the punt by Atlanta punter Michael Koenen. The statue also includes Koenen, recreating the famous moment in detail.

The Saints said the statue was intended to represent the reopening of the Superdome and the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Gleason himself emphasized that he did not want the statue to be viewed only as a monument to him. He described the play as representing the community’s commitment to rebuilding and the idea of rebirth.

How Big Is the Steve Gleason Statue?

The Rebirth statue is a substantial bronze sculpture.

According to the Saints, the bronze figures of Gleason and Koenen each weigh approximately 800 pounds and stand about 7½ feet tall. The complete sculpture, including its base, reaches approximately 13 feet in height.

Sculptor Brian Hanlon created the work, which was commissioned by former Saints owner Tom Benson. Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees attended the unveiling ceremony.

The location makes the statue particularly meaningful because it stands near the same stadium where the original play occurred.

Steve Gleason’s NFL Career

Although the 2006 punt block made Gleason famous among football fans, special teams was an important part of his career long before that night.

Gleason entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts in 2000. After being released, he joined the Saints later that year. He ultimately played 83 NFL games, all for New Orleans.

He became a key special-teams contributor and blocked four punts during his NFL career. One came against Carolina in 2002, while the 2006 block against Atlanta became his defining play.

Gleason retired from professional football in 2008 after seven seasons with the Saints.

Steve Gleason After Football

Gleason’s life after football has been defined largely by his work surrounding ALS.

His diagnosis transformed him from a former special-teams player into an internationally recognized ALS advocate. Through Team Gleason, he has helped draw attention to the challenges faced by people living with progressive neuromuscular diseases.

He has also continued to maintain a connection with the Saints and New Orleans.

In 2018, legislation was introduced to award Gleason the Congressional Gold Medal. Congress subsequently passed the legislation, and Gleason received the medal in 2020. The honor recognized both his football legacy and his advocacy for people living with ALS.

The Saints also honored him with the inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award in 2025.

Why Is Steve Gleason’s Punt Block So Famous?

The importance of Gleason’s punt block comes from its timing.

It happened during the Saints’ first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. The play occurred almost immediately after the game began and resulted in a touchdown.

The Saints won 23-3, and the blocked punt became one of the most recognizable moments in franchise history.

For that reason, the play became connected to the wider story of New Orleans’ recovery.

The Rebirth statue later reinforced that connection by permanently placing the image of Gleason’s block outside the stadium.

Steve Gleason FAQs

Who is Steve Gleason?

Steve Gleason is a former New Orleans Saints safety and special-teams player. He became famous for blocking a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ first game back at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

When did Steve Gleason block the punt?

Gleason blocked the famous Atlanta Falcons punt on September 25, 2006, during the Saints’ return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

Who did Steve Gleason block the punt against?

He blocked a punt by Atlanta Falcons punter Michael Koenen. Saints cornerback Curtis DeLoatch recovered the ball and scored a touchdown.

How did Steve Gleason get ALS?

Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in January 2011. There is no established public evidence identifying a specific cause of his ALS. The CDC says most ALS cases have no known cause.

Who is Steve Gleason’s wife?

Steve Gleason’s wife is Michel Varisco Gleason. The couple married in 2008 and later founded Team Gleason together.

Does Steve Gleason have children?

Yes. Steve and Michel have two children, Rivers and Gray.

Where is Steve Gleason’s statue?

The Rebirth statue depicting Gleason’s famous punt block is located outside the Superdome in New Orleans.

When was the Steve Gleason statue unveiled?

The Saints unveiled the Rebirth statue in July 2012.

What does the Steve Gleason statue represent?

The statue represents Gleason’s famous 2006 punt block, but it was also created as a symbol of New Orleans’ recovery and the reopening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.

Conclusion

Steve Gleason’s story stretches far beyond one NFL play. His blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 became a defining moment in Saints history and a symbol connected to New Orleans’ recovery after Hurricane Katrina.

His ALS diagnosis in 2011 changed the direction of his life, leading him and Michel to establish Team Gleason and dedicate significant effort to ALS advocacy, technology and research.

Today, the Rebirth statue outside the Superdome permanently connects Gleason to the punt block that made him a New Orleans football icon. At the same time, his work after football has made his story much broader than that one moment on the field.