Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints special teams player who is now an ALS activist, is in stable condition after being taken to the hospital Wednesday night as Hurricane Francine made landfall.
His team posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, thanking first responders who helped them get to Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana, during the dangerous storm.
For those who have asked, Steve was taken to Ochsner last night during the storm. He is now stable. We want to thank him. @NOLAFireDepartment first aid and @NewOrleansEMS to reach us in unsafe circumstances and to the @OchsnerSalud staff for your immediate attention. We…
— Steve Gleason – “Living is impossible” (@SteveGleason) September 12, 2024
Gleason, 47, is most famous for a 2006 punt block that was returned for a touchdown in the Saints’ first game at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina. Gleason and the Saints went to the NFC championship game that year, his last in the NFL, though he wouldn’t officially retire until 2008.
After being diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, in 2012, Gleason became an activist and advocate for treatment of the disease, even as it robbed him of his ability to walk, talk and move independently.
It is not known what caused the sudden hospitalization. Gleason’s team promised to “let everyone know as soon as we have more information.”
