What Happened to Steve Gleason?
Steve Gleason is a former NFL player for the New Orleans Saints who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2011. Since his diagnosis, he has become a prominent advocate for people with ALS, co-founding Team Gleason to provide technology, equipment, and support, and spearheading legislation to improve access to assistive devices. He continues to inspire through his resilience and ongoing work, including his recent memoir and participation in community events.
Quick Answer
Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints safety, was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 at the age of 34. Since then, he has dedicated his life to advocating for others with the disease, co-founding Team Gleason to provide innovative technology, equipment, and care services. He has been instrumental in passing legislation like the Steve Gleason Act, received the Congressional Gold Medal, and continues to inspire through his 'No White Flags' mantra, recently publishing a memoir and hosting life skills clinics in 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Begins NFL Career with New Orleans Saints
Steve Gleason signs with the New Orleans Saints, starting his professional football career as a safety and special teams player.
Iconic Blocked Punt after Hurricane Katrina
Gleason blocks a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, a moment that became a symbol of New Orleans' resilience.
Diagnosed with ALS
At the age of 34, Steve Gleason is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Founds Team Gleason Foundation
Alongside his wife, Michel Varisco, Steve establishes Team Gleason, a non-profit dedicated to helping people with ALS live purposeful lives by providing technology, equipment, and support.
Rebirth Statue Unveiled
A bronze statue commemorating his blocked punt, titled 'Rebirth,' is unveiled outside the Superdome, honoring his play and the city's recovery.
Challenges Microsoft for Eye-Tracking Technology
Gleason challenges Microsoft at a hackathon to develop technology allowing him to drive his wheelchair with his eyes, leading to significant advancements in assistive tech.
Steve Gleason Act Passed
The U.S. Congress passes the Steve Gleason Act, ensuring Medicare coverage for speech-generating devices and eye-gaze technology for ALS patients.
Documentary 'Gleason' Released
A documentary film chronicling his life with ALS, his family, and his advocacy work, receives critical acclaim.
Daughter Gray Born
Steve and Michel Gleason welcome their second child, a daughter named Gray.
Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Gleason receives the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, for his advocacy and courage in the face of ALS.
Publishes Memoir 'A Life Impossible'
Gleason releases his memoir, 'A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence,' co-written with Jeff Duncan, detailing his journey with ALS.
Receives Arthur Ashe Award for Courage
Steve Gleason is honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYS for his bravery and tireless efforts in ALS advocacy.
Receives Inaugural Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award
Gleason is honored with the first-ever Saints Hall of Fame Courage Award, recognizing his inspiring strength.
Hosts Gleason Life Skills Football Clinic in New Orleans
Gleason hosts his annual Life Skills Football Clinic at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, teaching young players football and life lessons.
Hosts Gleason Life Skills Football Clinic in Spokane
Gleason returns to his alma mater, Gonzaga Prep, to host a Life Skills Football Clinic, continuing to inspire youth despite poor air quality moving activities indoors.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Steve Gleason, born March 19, 1977, was a safety for the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2008, becoming a beloved figure for his tenacious play. He is most famously remembered for his iconic blocked punt in the first game played in the Louisiana Superdome after Hurricane Katrina in September 2006, a moment that symbolized hope and resilience for the city of New Orleans. Just two years after retiring from the NFL, in January 2011, at the age of 34, Gleason received a devastating diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a terminal neuromuscular disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Faced with this life-altering news, Gleason adopted the motto "No White Flags" and embarked on a new mission: to demonstrate that individuals with ALS can not only live but thrive. Alongside his wife, Michel Varisco, he co-founded Team Gleason in September 2011. This non-profit organization is dedicated to empowering people with ALS by providing innovative technology, equipment, and care services, as well as advocating for research to find a cure. Since its inception, Team Gleason has provided over $65 million in support to ALS patients and their families, serving thousands across all 50 states.
Gleason's advocacy efforts have garnered national recognition and significant legislative victories. In 2015, the Steve Gleason Act was passed, ensuring Medicare coverage for speech-generating devices and eye-gaze technology for individuals with ALS and other speech-impacting disabilities. This was further solidified by the Steve Gleason Enduring Voices Act in 2018, which made these provisions permanent. In recognition of his profound contributions and courage, Steve Gleason was awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in January 2020, one of the nation's highest civilian honors.
Despite the progression of his disease, Gleason continues to communicate using eye-tracking technology, which he famously challenged Microsoft to develop for controlling his wheelchair. His personal journey, including his marriage to Michel and raising their son, Rivers (born shortly after his diagnosis), and daughter, Gray (born in 2018), has been documented in the critically acclaimed 2016 film "Gleason" and his 2024 memoir, "A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence." The book, written entirely with his eyes, delves into themes of love, resilience, and finding meaning amidst adversity.
As of September 25, 2026, Steve Gleason remains a powerful voice and an active force in the ALS community. Team Gleason continues its mission, having received over 9,000 requests for support in 2025 alone. In June and July 2026, he hosted his annual "Gleason Life Skills Football Clinics" in New Orleans and Spokane, inspiring young athletes with lessons on character, resilience, and mindset, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to impact lives beyond ALS. The 20th anniversary of his iconic blocked punt was also commemorated in September 2026, highlighting his enduring legacy both on and off the field.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Steve Gleason made different choices?