Steve Gleason Reflects on ALS Battle, Impact of Iconic Block 20 Years Later

Former NFL player Steve Gleason, best known for his game-changing blocked punt for the New Orleans Saints, has shared a poignant update on his ongoing battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The former Saints star, who was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease in 2011, marked the 20th anniversary of his iconic play by reflecting on its profound impact on his life.

Gleason, now 49, has spent the last 15 years living with ALS, a condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. His blocked punt in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is widely remembered as a pivotal moment that symbolized the city's resilience and the Saints' return to the Superdome. He shared that, were it not for that particular play, he believes he would no longer be alive.

"If I didn't block that punt, I'd be dead," Gleason stated in an interview with WDSU. He emphasized the deep connection he feels to New Orleans and its community, stating, "That moment connected my life to New Orleans in a way that I never could have planned. When the ALS came, this community showed up for us." He expressed gratitude for the continued support, saying, "20 years later, I feel that love. I'm grateful to be here for whatever comes next."

The Saints organization also commemorated the anniversary, sharing a clip of Gleason's block and calling it a play that "signaled the rebirth of a city."

In July, Gleason participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge alongside author Brian Jeansonne, who also has ALS, to raise awareness for the disease. The event, filmed outdoors, saw both men sitting in wheelchairs. A video shared from the event showed Gleason and Jeansonne enduring the cold water pour.

Gleason's update comes shortly after another NFL veteran, Chris Johnson, also spoke publicly about his own ALS journey. Johnson, who was diagnosed in 2025, shared how the disease has impacted his independence while his cognitive functions remain intact. He described the mental anguish of having a fully functioning mind within a body that is progressively losing its capabilities.

"ALS has taken away a lot of my independence," Johnson told People magazine. "As a father, your first instinct is to protect your kids. You don't want them to be scared or feel like their whole world is changing." He added, "Having your mind still completely there, while your body stops doing things you've done your entire life... ALS may change what my body can do, but it hasn't changed who I am at my core."