From the Legendary Blocked Punt to a Mission That’s Changing the World”. Former Saints Icon Steve Gleason and 13 Years of Team Gleason That Moved All of New Orleans

From the Legendary Blocked Punt to a Mission That’s Changing the World” – Former Saints Icon Steve Gleason and 13 Years of Team Gleason That Moved All of New Orleans ⚜️

New Orleans, October 11, 2025

Thirteen years ago, Steve Gleason — the former New Orleans Saints safety and the hero behind the legendary blocked punt of 2006 after Hurricane Katrina — gave a city hope when it needed it most. Today, he’s doing it again — not on the football field, but on the stage of compassion.

“@TeamGleason began as a small movement and today it’s a national force for change,”

- @SteveGleason on the 13th annual @GleasonGras ❤️ pic.twitter.com/f0bUqGHAiH

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 11, 2025

At the 13th annual Gleason Gras in New Orleans, Gleason appeared in his wheelchair, communicating through an eye-tracking device, delivering a message that brought the entire audience to silence:

“Team Gleason began as a small movement, and today it’s a national force for change.”

The neon lights reflected softly off the giant screen emblazoned with his name — STEVE GLEASON — casting a warm, powerful glow. Thousands of attendees rose to their feet as Gleason continued:

“Growth brings greater need. Too many still face ALS without enough support. That’s why I’m asking each of you to lean in — to make sure no one faces this disease alone.”

It wasn’t just a call to action — it was a testament of courage from a man who has lived the fight against ALS, a disease that took away his ability to move and speak, but never his will to inspire.

This year’s Gleason Gras wasn’t merely a fundraiser; it was a celebration of hope. What began as a “small movement” in 2011 has grown into a national foundation — Team Gleason — raising millions to provide communication technology, mobility equipment, and life-changing adventures for ALS patients across the country.

As the lights dimmed, Gleason smiled — not with muscles, but with the strength of his heart. His final message moved the entire room to tears:

“Take this moment. Look at someone near you. Smile. Make the connection.
That simple act is what Team Gleason is all about — turning isolation into connection, fear into purpose, and adversity into strength.”

From a former NFL player who once electrified a stadium to a man who now inspires a nation, Steve Gleason has proven that “No White Flags” — his life motto — isn’t just a phrase, but a way of living.

And on that night at Gleason Gras 2025, the hero of New Orleans once again scored — not with a blocked punt, but with an unbreakable heart and a belief that hope can change the world. ❤️⚜️