Steve Gleason

Last updated

Steve Gleason
Steve Gleason 2020.jpg
Gleason in January 2020
No. 37
Position: Safety
Personal information
Born: (1977-03-19) March 19, 1977 (age 47)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school: Gonzaga Prep
(Spokane, Washington)
College: Washington State (1995–1999)
Undrafted: 2000
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:83
Total tackles:71
Fumble recoveries:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Stephen Michael Gleason (born March 19, 1977) is an American former professional football player who played as a safety with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars. Originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000, he played for the Saints through the 2006 season. As a free agent in 2008, Gleason retired from the NFL after eight seasons.

Contents

Gleason is particularly known for his block of a punt early in a 2006 game, which became a symbol of recovery in New Orleans in the team's first home game after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2011, Gleason revealed that he was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). [1] [2] His experiences while living with the disease were captured on video over the course of a five-year period and featured in the 2016 documentary Gleason .

He was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 [3] and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in 2024 for his contributions to ALS awareness. [4] [5]

Early life

Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Gleason attended high school at Gonzaga Prep, where he earned consecutive defensive MVP awards as a linebacker in the Greater Spokane League (GSL). [6] He also played on offense as a fullback. [7]

College career

Following graduation in 1995, he accepted a scholarship to play college football at Washington State in Pullman. [8] [9] Gleason was a starting linebacker for the 1997 team that advanced to the Rose Bowl. He was a four-year starter for the WSU baseball team in center field and holds the school record for triples.

Professional career

Gleason was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He was released by the team after the preseason and was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad in November. He was chosen by the Birmingham Thunderbolts with the 191st pick of the 2001 XFL draft. [10]

On September 25, 2006, Gleason was responsible for one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in Saints history when he blocked a punt by Atlanta Falcons punter Michael Koenen early in the first quarter of a game at the Superdome. [11] Curtis Deloatch recovered the ball in the Falcons' end zone for a touchdown. It was the first score in the Saints' first game in New Orleans in nearly 21 months, during which time Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city and the team. [12]

The Saints won the game and went on to have one of the most successful seasons in their history up to that time, going to the NFC Championship that year. [13]

Personal life

Gleason in April 2016 Steve Gleason (cropped).jpg
Gleason in April 2016

Gleason and his wife, Michel Rae Varisco, have a son, Rivers, [14] and a daughter, Gray. [15] Six weeks after receiving a diagnosis of ALS, the couple discovered they were expecting their first child.

Gleason, who lost his voice to ALS, had his voice cloned by CereProc, a Scottish speech synthesis company. [16]

Gleason collaborated with filmmaker Sean Pamphilon to produce a documentary on his battle with ALS that would double as a video journal for his infant son, Rivers. [17] The documentary film Gleason was shown during the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. [18]

Gleason was featured in an episode of the documentary series A Football Life that detailed his career in the NFL and battle with ALS. NFL Network aired the episode in late November 2013. [19] [20] In April 2024, Knopf released Gleason's memoir A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence.

Awards and honors

In September 2011, Gleason was awarded a Super Bowl ring by the Saints. [21] At the same ceremony, he was awarded the key to the city of New Orleans by mayor Mitch Landrieu. [22] In July 2012, Rebirth, a statue depicting Gleason blocking the punt, was raised outside the Superdome. [23]

In 2015, Gleason was chosen to receive the 2015 George Halas Award from the Pro Football Writers Association. [24] He was presented the award at the Thursday Night Football game between the Saints and Falcons on October 15, 2015. Near the end of the first quarter, he watched as Saints linebacker Michael Mauti blocked a punt by Falcons punter Matt Bosher and returned it for a touchdown to give the Saints a 14–0 lead. Mauti, a New Orleans native and the son of former Saints player Rich Mauti, had attended the 2006 game where Gleason made his famous block. [25] The Saints went on to beat the Falcons, 31–21. After the blocked punt, Gleason tweeted: "Hey, Falcons. #NeverPunt -SG". [26]

In 2019, Gleason was awarded with a Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to ALS awareness, [27] [28] and became the first NFL player to ever receive the award. [29] Gleason was presented with the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on January 15, 2020. [30] In 2024, he was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his contributions to ALS awareness. [31]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2000 NO 303210.00000000000
2001 NO 703300.00000000100
2002 NO 140161510.00000000000
2003 NO 1608800.00000000100
2004 NO 1509720.00000000000
2005 NO 131141220.00000000000
2006 NO 150181710.00000000000
831716470.00000000200

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2000 NO 100000.00000000000
2006 NO 201100.00000000000
301100.00000000000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Orleans Saints</span> National Football League franchise in New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Since 1975, the team plays its home games at Caesars Superdome after using Tulane Stadium during its first eight seasons. Founded by John W. Mecom Jr., David Dixon, and the city of New Orleans on November 1, 1966, the Saints joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morten Andersen</span> Danish-American football player (born 1960)

Morten Andersen, nicknamed "the Great Dane", is a Danish-American former professional football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. Following a career from 1982 to 2007, Andersen holds the NFL record for regular season games played at 382. He also ranks second in field goals (565) and points scored (2,544). In addition to his league accomplishments, he is the Saints all-time leading scorer at 1,318 points. Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Along with Jan Stenerud, he is one of only two exclusive kickers to receive the honor.

Joseph Horn is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL draft, and also played for the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Memphis Mad Dogs of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Iowa Central Tritons. He played college football at Itawamba Community College. After his playing career, he became an assistant coach at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holder (gridiron football)</span> American football position

In gridiron football, the holder is the player who receives the snap from the long snapper during field goal or extra point attempts made by the placekicker. The holder is set on one knee seven yards behind the line-of-scrimmage. Before the play begins, the holder places the hand which is closest to the placekicker on the ground in a location designated by the kicker's foot, with their forward hand ready to receive the snap. After receiving the snap, the holder will place the football on the turf, or block, ideally with the laces facing the uprights and the ball accurately placed where the backhand was initially, then balancing the ball with one or two fingers until the ball is kicked.

Curtis Lee Deloatch is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at North Carolina A&T.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Koenen</span> American football player (born 1982)

Michael J. Koenen is an American former professional football punter. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Western Washington. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Hester</span> American football player (born 1982)

Devin Devorris Hester Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). The only primary return specialist to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he is widely considered to be the greatest return specialist of all time. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was the first player in the university's recent history to play in all three phases of American football: offense, defense and special teams. He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. Hester also played for the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks over his 11-season NFL career. He is also the only player to return the opening kick of a Super Bowl for a touchdown. Hester was selected to the NFL All-Decade Team for both the 2000s and 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Lewis (wide receiver)</span> American football player and executive (born 1971)

Michael Lee Lewis is an American former professional football player who is the team ambassador of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played as a wide receiver and return specialist, earning first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection as a returner in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Carr (American football)</span> American football player (born 1983)

Charles Christopher Carr is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback, punt returner, and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He was also a member of the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Boise State Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Weatherford</span> American football player (born 1982)

Steven Thomas Weatherford is a former American football punter. He played college football at Illinois and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Weatherford was also a member of the New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, and New York Giants. He won Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots as a member of the Giants.

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented as part of the ESPY Awards. It is named for the American tennis player Arthur Ashe. Although it is a sport-oriented award, it is not limited to sports-related people or actions, as it is presented annually to individuals whose contributions "transcend sports". According to ESPN, the organization responsible for giving out the award, "recipients reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost". The award was presented as part of the ESPY Awards ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles from 2008 to 2019. The 2020 ESPYs ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Ashe Award being one of the few awards presented, and the 2021 ceremony was held in New York City.

Richard Dominic Mauti is a former American football wide receiver and special teams player who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Penn State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Saints</span>

Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, Louisiana on August 29, 2005 and caused extensive damage to the Louisiana Superdome. As a result, the National Football League (NFL)'s New Orleans Saints were unable to play any home games at the Superdome for the entire 2005 NFL regular season. The dome was also used as a storm shelter for people who were unable to evacuate the city before the storm.

John Frank Bonamego is an American football coach who serves as a senior coaching assistant for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He has two decades of college and pro coaching experience. He played college football at Central Michigan and also was head coach of the team from 2015 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Morstead</span> American football player (born 1986)

Thomas James Morstead is an American professional football punter for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft. Morstead has also played for the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falcons–Saints rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Falcons–Saints rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints.

Michael D. Mauti is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He also played for the New Orleans Saints.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taysom Hill</span> American football player (born 1990)

Taysom Shawn Hill is an American professional football utility player for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Hill is officially designated as a tight end, having been designated as a quarterback for the first five and the seventh seasons of his career and a tight end in his sixth year. Hill's array of utilization has earned him a reputation as a unique player in the NFL. Due to his versatility, he is known as "The Human Swiss Army Knife" by Saints' media.

<i>Gleason</i> (2016 film) American documentary film

Gleason is an American documentary film which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It covers five years in the life of the former New Orleans Saints football defensive back Steve Gleason, who has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a rare incurable neurodegenerative condition associated with the former New York Yankees baseball star Lou Gehrig, who died from the disease in 1941.

The George Halas Award is given by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) to a National Football League (NFL) player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

References

  1. "Steve Gleason diagnosed with ALS". ESPN. Associated Press . Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  2. NOLA.com – New Orleans Saints cult hero Steve Gleason battling ALS – September 25, 2011
  3. "Steve Gleason receives Congressional Gold Medal". Washington State Magazine. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  4. "Retired Saints safety Steve Gleason receives Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The ESPYS for his work on ALS awareness". NFL.com. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  5. "Gleason to be honored at ESPYS for ALS advocacy". ESPN.com. June 27, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  6. Trimmer, Dave (January 26, 1995). "Bullpup becomes a Cougar". The Spokesman-Review. p. C5. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  7. McCarthy, Jane (July 23, 2015). "Steve Gleason returns home for Gonzaga Prep reunion". usatodayhss.com. USA Today High School Sports. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  8. Seattle Times – Gleason Grows Into Role At WSU – October 21, 1999
  9. Seattle Times – Ex-Cougars star Steve Gleason, suffering from ALS, gives some inspiring words – November 12, 2011
  10. Inaugural XFL Draft, oursportscentral.com, October 31, 2000.
  11. Triplett, Mike (April 6, 2020). "Steve Gleason's 2006 blocked punt symbolized the 'rebirth' of the Saints, New Orleans". ESPN . Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  12. Thompson, Wright Beyond the Breach ESPN. August 25, 2015.
  13. Grantham, Zayne (November 5, 2011). "New Orleans Saints: The 5 Best Teams in Franchise History". Bleacher Report . Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  14. "Steve Gleason's Son Rivers Fuels His Motivation to Continue to Fight ALS". neworleanssaints.com. June 16, 2013.
  15. "Team Gleason". www.facebook.com.
  16. Martin, Claire (January 2, 2016). "Ex-N.F.L. Player's New Team Takes On Challenges of A.L.S." The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  17. Howard, Johnette (April 13, 2012). "Right, wrong and the bounty tape". ESPN . Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  18. "Sundance Film Review: 'Gleason'". Variety. January 30, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  19. "NFL Films special on Steve Gleason to air Tuesday". The Times-Picayune. September 13, 2013.
  20. "NFL Network's A Football Life Series Profiles the Inspirational Steve Gleason". NFL Communications. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014.
  21. "Gleason gets Super Bowl ring at surprise party in New Orleans". NFL. September 27, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011.
  22. Seattle Times – New Orleans Saints present ex-WSU player Steve Gleason with a Super Bowl ring – Associated Press – September 27, 2011
  23. "Steve Gleason statue unveiled", Associated Press at ESPN.com, July 28, 2012.
  24. Erickson, Joel A. (June 15, 2015). "Steve Gleason named PFWA's George Halas Award winner". The Advocate . Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  25. Schilken, Chuck (October 16, 2015). "Saints' Steve Gleason and Michael Mauti were there for each other's blocked punts". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  26. Dabe, Christopher (October 15, 2015). "Steve Gleason after Saints' punt block for TD: 'Hey, Falcons. #NeverPunt'". The Times-Picayune . Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  27. Thomas, Rachael (December 20, 2018). "President signs legislation to award Steve Gleason with Congressional Gold Medal". wlbt.com. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  28. "New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal". neworleanssaints.com. December 20, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  29. "Steve Gleason officially awarded Congressional Gold Medal". ESPN.com. January 3, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019. Gleason is the first NFL player to receive a Congressional Gold Medal.
  30. "Spokane native Steve Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal on Jan. 15". KING 5 News. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  31. "Steve Gleason to receive Arthur Ashe Courage Award at 2024 ESPYS". ESPN . Retrieved June 27, 2024.