Steve Gleason became widely known for his famous blocked punt for the New Orleans Saints in 2006, but what happened to him afterward is that he was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive nerve disease that gradually takes away muscle control, and Gleason has since lived with severe physical disability while remaining an outspoken advocate.
The diagnosis
Gleason went public with his ALS diagnosis on Sept. 25, 2011, five years after his iconic play helped symbolize the Saints’ return and New Orleans’ resilience. ALS affects the nerve cells that control voluntary movement, and over time it can lead to loss of speech, mobility and breathing function. His condition has progressed significantly since then, and reports say he lost all mobility and communicates with eye-tracking technology.
What he has done since
Rather than disappearing from public life, Gleason has become one of the most visible faces of ALS advocacy. He and his family have used his story to raise awareness, support research and push for better care and accessibility for people living with the disease. In interviews and appearances over the years, he has continued to speak about life with ALS with unusual candor and determination.
A recent health scare
In September 2024, ESPN reported that Gleason returned home after spending six nights in the hospital following a medical event. The report described him as “reborn” after the scare, but it did not say the event changed the underlying fact that he is still living with ALS. That episode appears to have been a serious but separate health issue rather than a different diagnosis.
The bigger picture
So, what happened to Steve Gleason? He did not suffer a sudden, single event that defined his life. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, and since then he has faced a long, public battle with a progressive disease while becoming a powerful advocate and symbol of resilience. His story is now as much about endurance and advocacy as it is about football.