Five Years After Steve Gleason's Punt Block, He's Been Diagnosed With ALS

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a devastatingly cruel disease. Gradually, motor neurons shut down. As they do, muscles atrophy. Although Gleason’s brain remains sharp, he is steadily losing his ability to walk, talk and swallow. The powerful legs he once used to race downfield on kickoffs are now withering and unstable. The arms he famously extended to block Michael Koenen’s punt are weak and frail.

Gleason played 8 seasons in the NFL with the Saints from 2000 to 2007. I suggest you head over to the Times-Picayune and read the entire feature on Gleason, ALS and what he meant to the city of New Orleans. Gleason is one of those guys whose story is bigger than the sport he played.