The Show -- Steve Gleason

Today I am starting what I hope to be a regular feature on Spokane Sports Scene, "The Show."  I hope to highlight athletes from Spokane that have gone on to compete at the highest levels of their respective sport.  As I woke this morning, I had a short list of athletes I was hoping to research some and come up with a mildly entertaining story for you all to read.  As I was perusing ESPN's website, little did I know the inspiration for today's post would be in their headlines.

Steve Gleason is a former Gonzaga Prep Bullpup, Washington State Cougar and New Orleans Saint.  He played as a Safety, and made a name for himself in New Orleans as a special teams specialist.  Steve has been named honorary Captain for today's Saints game versus the Houston Texans.  Steve is an inspiration to his former team, and led their traditional "Who Dat?" pregame cheer.  On September 23rd, Steve told the world he has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or "Lou Gehrig's Disease."  ALS is a disease that causes the degeneration of neurons in the spinal cord.  Researchers are still unsure about much of the disease, including its cause and potential treatments.  Currently there is no known cure for ALS.

As a Bullpup, Steve played with my brother, who was two years younger than Steve.  I remember Jeremy coming home after practice and telling about how hard the little guy, Gleason, had hit him in practice.  Steve graduated as a Bullpup in 1995, and was named the Greater Spokane League's Defensive Most Valuable Player in consecutive seasons.  Steve then went to WSU and was again a standout on the defensive side of the ball.  In 1997, Steve earned Honorable Mention All Pac-10. Steve was then briefly signed as an un-drafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts.  After not surviving roster cuts prior to his rookie season, he found his true home by signing with the Saints the same season in 2000.

Steve played sparingly his first two seasons as a Saint, but saw action in double-digit games beginning in the 2002 season.  Steve was often involved in game-changing plays, including blocking a punt in a game each season between 2002-2004.  The 2005 season was a difficult one for the Saints.  The Saints had to play the entire season away from New Orleans due to damage to their stadium, the Superdome, inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.  Not only was the stadium damaged, the entire city was in disarray due to the damage and destruction caused by the storm.  The Saints organization's future in New Orleans was in doubt, there were more than a few rumors about them relocating to a new city.

Five years ago today, the Saints played their home-opener in front of an energized crowd on a national stage.  The game was the Monday Night game, one I vividly remember watching.  After the Saints forced the Falcons to a three-and-out on the first drive of the game, Steve lit the powder keg that was the Superdome.  Steve was able to hurl himself in front of the Falcons punter, blocking the punt, which was recovered by a teammate in the end zone for a touchdown.  Head coach Sean Payton later said "(the crowd was) probably the loudest I've ever heard any stadium -- ever."  New Orleans went on to win the game in convincing fashion, and have become a perennial powerhouse in the NFC.  Steve spent the 2007 season on Injured Reserve, and then went on to retire.

Steve has gone on to earn his Master's Degree from Tulane University.  He and his wife, Michel, are starting a family in the New Orleans area.  Steve was diagnosed with ALS in January 2011.  Steve has since began his foundation, Team Gleason, with a mission to Inspire, Learn and Act.  Team Gleason hopes to provide a better way of life for patients who are diagnosed with ALS.  Please follow me and show your support of our local athlete, and join Team Gleason!  You can email them here, or sign up here.

Steve Gleason truly is an inspiration.  He was an inspiration to teammates like my brother in High School and beyond.  He inspired the Saints Organization and the City of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.  He certainly is still an inspiration to those afflicted by his disease.  Hopefully, this post has helped you to be inspired by him as well.