Tag: Steve Gleason

Steve Gleason’s blocked punt is the Saints Play of Day 37

Steve Gleason’s blocked punt is the Saints Play of Day 37. Where were you when No. 37 brought the Superdome to its feet?

There are 37 days left in our countdown to the New Orleans saints’ season opener, and there isn’t a better pick for the Saints Play of the Day than Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt.

Gleason, who of course wore the No. 37 jersey, was already a fan-favorite before he earned his place in Saints history — known for his brash sense of humor and devil-may-care style of play. He burst through the Atlanta Falcons line to block their punt in the game’s opening minutes, which was recovered by his teammate Curtis DeLoatch who returned it for a special teams touchdown.

That’s impressive enough, but circumstances are what made this such a special play. It was the first game the Saints played in front of their home crowd at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. It was a matchup against their oldest, bitterest rivals. And it was just the third game the Saints had played with Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and Reggie Bush in place as the new faces of the franchise.

And Gleason’s contributions to this win have been rightfully immortalized. There’s a bronze statue dedicated to his blocked punt in this “Rebirth” game standing outside the Superdome overlooking Champion’s Square that remains a popular pilgrimage site for Saints fans. Gleason’s battle with ALS in retirement has continued to keep him in fans’ minds, and plays like this one are why they fell in love with him in the first place.

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ESPYs: Drew Brees introduces Steve Gleason for Arthur Ashe Award for Courage

Drew Brees introduced Steve Gleason as the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage recipient at the ESPYs on Thursday night. Both Saints legends shared powerful words:

Steve Gleason was recognized at the ESPYs on Thursday night as the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, and he was introduced to the audience and viewers at home by another New Orleans Saints legend: Drew Brees.

Brees and Gleason were only teammates for two years in 2006 and 2007, but they’ve remained close over the many years since, and it’s clear he thinks the world of No. 37. Brees spoke about Gleason’s impact on the iconic “Rebirth” game after Hurricane Katrina, his character, and the struggle he has experiencing in the face of a debilitating illness.

“When I think about Steve as a teammate, and a friend, I think of a guy who has always taken the idea of living to the next level,” Brees said. “Steve has always been interested in having a deeper conversation, going on a bigger adventure, finding ways to experience the wonders of the world in every possible way. Always curious to explore both the seen and the unseen of human emotion and connection. Experiencing plenty of fear along the way but never shying away. From challenging himself and those around him.”

Gleason was joined onstage by his son Rivers, at which he point he shared a speech of his own. While he has lost his voice and the use of his limbs to ALS, Gleason is able to communicate with text-to-speech software that allows him to write with his eyes, and he used this opportunity to reflect on what courage means, and how the support of those around him have allowed him to outlive a fatal diagnosis by more than a decade. His words were powerful, but we’ll let Gleason speak for himself. Take some time to watch it:

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Steve Gleason to receive Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at 2024 ESPYS

New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2024 ESPYS ceremony:

This is a big moment for Steve Gleason. The New Orleans Saints legend and hero of the 2006 “Rebirth” game after Hurricane Katrina will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2024 ESPYS ceremony, ESPN announced Thursday.

Gleason has spent his post-football life working to raise awareness of ALS, a rare neurological disease, while doing his part to fund efforts in researching a cure and supporting people who have been afflicted with it. That’s on top of sharing the time he has left with his family, friends, and old teammates.

“Over the past 13 years, I’ve been documenting our journey with ALS,” Gleason wrote on social media in reaction to the news. “My aim has always been to see if we can discover peace and freedom with a love of Life, in the midst of extreme adversity. Being recognized at The 2024 ESPYS is not just an honor, but a powerful platform to further help and serve others. Thank you, ESPN, for this incredible accolade.”

Named for the iconic American tennis champion, ESPN describes the Arthur Ashe award as recognition for recipients who “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.”

Past recipients include the United States women’s national soccer team (in 2023), Ukrainian politician and former boxer Vitali Klitschko (in 2022), and four-time WNBA champion Maya Moore (in 2021). Gleason is joining rare company. Be sure to tune in for the awards ceremony on July 11 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

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WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers fumble and it is returned for a TD

WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers special teams fumble and D’Marco Jackson returns it for a big Saints touchdown

With Steve Gleason in the house, the New Orleans Saints come away with a blocked punt against the Carolina Panthers that was brought back for a touchdown.

Nephi Sewell ran through the Panthers special teams virtually unblocked and was able to get to Johnny Hekker in time for a loud block. Fellow young linebacker D’Marco Jackson was there to scoop up the ball and ran it in for the touchdown.

But it’s not going down in the stats sheet as a blocked punt. The NFL office reviewed the play and found that Hekker never actually kicked the ball, so it’s being recorded as a forced fumble, recovery, and return for a special teams touchdown. Either way, the points came as a sigh of relief on a day where neither offense had found consistent success.

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WATCH: Saints linebacker Zack Baun blocks a Titans punt

WATCH: Saints linebacker Zack Baun blocks a Titans punt

This is why Zack Baun made the team. The New Orleans Saints’ strong side linebacker doesn’t get to play many snaps on defense with the team running so much nickel personnel, but he continues to make his presence felt on special teams.

Baun blocked a punt from the Tennessee Titans — with Steve Gleason in the building — on Sunday to set the Saints up with excellent field position, though it was officially recorded as a 1-yard punt by Titans specialist Ryan Stonehouse. Derek Carr drove the New Orleans offense down into field goal range, where rookie kicker Blake Grupe booted a 33-yard try right between the uprights.

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Drew Brees, Steve Gleason and their families catch up before Saints’ season-opener

Drew Brees, Steve Gleason and their families catch up before Saints’ season-opener

The New Orleans Saints had some big names in the building for their Week 1 kickoff game with the Tennessee Titans. Saints legend Steve Gleason was recognized as an honorary captain for the game’s opening coin toss, and he was joined by his family — who met with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and his family before the pregame festivities.

It didn’t take long for Gleason’s children to take Brees’ sons to the turf for a quick wrestling match, with both dads catching up and keeping an eye on them from the sideline. Gleason was wearing Will Smith’s old No. 91 jersey in memory of their late teammate, who was slain in a 2016 road rage shooting. It was an emotional scene at the Caesars Superdome. They may all be iconic Saints players, but these people and their families have been through a lot together.

See some of the sights and sounds for yourself:

Saints, Titans name Steve Gleason and Tim Shaw honorary team captains in Week 1

Saints, Titans name fan-favorites Steve Gleason and Tim Shaw as honorary team captains for their Week 1 game at the Caesars Superdome:

This is really cool: the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans announced Friday that two of their franchises’ fan-favorite players will serve as honorary team captains before kickoff in Week 1, with Steve Gleason taking the field with New Orleans while Shaw arrives with Tennessee.

Both men have been diagnosed with ALS after their playing careers and endeavored to raise awareness of the disease while maintaining close relationships with the teams where they left their mark. Gleason is a common sight at the Caesars Superdome and the Titans keep a locker room stall in Shaw’s honor.

The Saints said in a statement that “the hope is for Sunday’s display of unity to bring support for those living with this disease and to encourage the continuing research needed in pursuit of a cure.”

The coin toss featuring both teams’ captains will occur just before kickoff at Noon CT on Sunday, Sept. 10. The game will be broadcast on CBS affiliates throughout the Southeast, so be sure to tune in.

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WATCH: Terron Armstead gives Steve Gleason a shoutout at 2023 NFL draft

WATCH: Former Saints left tackle Terron Armstead gives Steve Gleason, ‘Mr. No White Flags himself,’ a shoutout at 2023 NFL draft

How’s this for paying it forward? Former New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead was a guest at the 2023 NFL draft on Friday night, having been tabbed to announce the second-round pick for his new Miami Dolphins team.

It’s a situation he’s familiar with. Armstead took a moment before reading the card to salute the New Orleans legend who did the same for him a decade ago: Steve Gleason.

“I want to give a shoutout to the legend, Steve Gleason. Mr. No White Flags himself,” Armstead said, “Ten years ago Steve announced my pick in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft, and I just want to let him know I am forever grateful, and I appreciate him. Me and my family will never forget that moment.”

Talk about a classy gesture. Armstead and Gleason both became fan-favorites in New Orleans, and they’re forever tied together with that small (but significant) intersection in their lives, no matter where time and life takes them.

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Steve Gleason wins Halloween with creepy ‘Dexter’ costume at Saints-Raiders game

There were a lot of fans in costume at Sunday’s game between the Saints and Raiders on the eve of Halloween, but the legendary Steve Gleason won the day. See for yourself:

There’s no question who won Halloween this year: it’s Steve Gleason. The legendary former New Orleans Saints special teams ace was a guest on the sidelines at Sunday’s game with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he arrived in costume (as did many fans) to celebrate the holiday. Gleason wore a sheet of plastic wrap around his head with “Dexter” written in red across his forehead, in a startling reference back to the iconic Showtime TV series centering on a serial killer who hunts others like him.

Gleason later joked on Twitter that he wanted to “be an model of sacrifice & commitment to the Saints by holding my breath for the whole game.” It’s an alarming visual, but it was a relatively safe stunt for Gleason. He underwent a tracheotomy during his yearslong battle with ALS to allow him to breathe through an external tube connected to his throat, so he wasn’t in any danger here.

That’s not to say there’s no risk involved (and you definitely shouldn’t try a stunt like this at home), but Gleason himself has often said there’s risk in almost anything for someone in his position. His motto is to “Live impossible” and he’s still embodying it. It’s great to see him and his family catching up with old friends in the Superdome after all these years. That he’s able to joke around and celebrate a Saints victory just makes it a little more rewarding.

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Steve Gleason released from the hospital after pneumonia scare

Saints legend Steve Gleason released from the hospital after pneumonia scare

That’s a relief. Steve Gleason was admitted to the hospital this weekend with what the 45-year old described as “critically low” sodium levels and nearly a week of continuous hiccups, as well as concerns that he might have begun developing pneumonia which could have been lethal for the ALS survivor. Fortunately he recovered under several days of supervision and was released on Sunday afternoon.

A legendary special teams ace with the New Orleans Saints, Gleason has remained a fixture in black and gold over the years while responding with defiance to his terminal diagnosis. But he’s never claimed to do it alone, and often expressed gratitude for the support of his family, friends, and the healthcare professionals who have done so much for him.

Gleason was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020 for his efforts in raising awareness of ALS, and his brightest moment as a player is immortalized in bronze outside the Superdome at the “Rebirth” statue depicting his blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the first Saints home game after Hurricane Katrina. We’re lucky to have seen so many accomplishments from Gleason over the years, and he would be the first to remind us not to take it for granted.

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