Steve Gleason is still here, battling ALS for 15 years, and that fact alone is a testament to the man. This Monday marks 20 years since his legendary blocked punt, a play that gave the New Orleans Saints and their city hope after Hurricane Katrina, and a moment Gleason himself calls his own “rebirth.” It’s a miracle on multiple levels, and what he said about it this week is absolutely chilling in the best way.
The Superdome’s Unforgettable Return
Man, remember that September 25, 2006, game? Almost exactly two decades ago, the New Orleans Saints played their first game back in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina absolutely devastated the city. That stadium, which had sheltered thousands during and after the storm, became the home of a proud football team once again. Seriously, the energy must have been off the charts. Just a minute and a half after the opening kickoff, against their rival Atlanta Falcons, Gleason did it. He made the most memorable play in franchise history, blocking a punt that got scooped up in the end zone. It was more than just a score; it gave the Saints and the entire city of New Orleans hope. It was known as the “rebirth” of the city, and honestly, a “rebirth” for Gleason too, even if he did not know it at the time.
A Battle Far Beyond The Field
Five years after that indelible mark on New Orleans, in 2011, Gleason revealed he had been diagnosed with ALS. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is typically around three to five years. Think about that for a second. Yet, here we are, 20 years after the punt and 15 years after his diagnosis, and Gleason is among the 10-20% who survive for 10 years or more. “I’m still here,” Gleason told “Good Morning America” on Monday. “That still surprises some people. It does not surprise me as much as it used to.” He uses speech synthesis technology to communicate and needs assistance to move and breathe, but the guy is living a “miraculous, wonderful life,” still fighting for ALS awareness. He even became the first NFL player to win a Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 for his activism. Gleason himself noted that NFL players are at a higher risk for developing ALS, and he’s found community with other football players battling the disease. What a fighter.
A Mirror In The Superdome
This Monday, Week 4 of the 2026 season, the Falcons are heading back to the Superdome to face the Saints. The team is set to honor Gleason and that legendary 2006 squad with a 20th-anniversary celebration. Can you imagine what that will feel like for him? Gleason spoke about it on “Good Morning America,” saying, “When I roll back into that stadium, I will not only be revisiting a monument of 2006, but I will be walking into a mirror , a place that had to learn how to rise. I had to learn the same thing.” That’s powerful, man. This isn’t just a game; it is a full-circle moment, a testament to resilience, both for a city and an incredible human being. This celebration is going to be incredibly meaningful, a true tribute to a legend who continues to inspire.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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