Steve Gleason

Steve Gleason – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Steve Gleason (born March 19, 1977) is a former NFL safety, a hero in New Orleans, and a leading advocate in the fight against ALS. Explore his biography, athletic achievements, personal journey, quotes, and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Steve Gleason is more than a former professional American football player — he is a symbol of courage, resilience, and advocacy. While his athletic career earned him respect on the field, it is his life after diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that has inspired millions. Gleason leveraged his public platform and personal challenges to raise awareness for ALS, create technological support for disabled persons, and demonstrate what it means to live with purpose. His story is one of triumph over adversity, love, community, and steadfast hope.

Early Life and Family

Stephen Michael Gleason was born on March 19, 1977, in Spokane, Washington.

He attended Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, where he excelled in multiple sports. His athletic success in high school opened the door to opportunities in college.

Gleason’s family life has played a central role in his journey. He is married to Michel Rae Varisco; together they have a daughter, Gray, and a son, Rivers.

Youth and Education

At Washington State University (WSU), Gleason was a dual-sport athlete.

Despite team struggles in some seasons, Gleason’s personal performance stood out. He was team captain, achieved All-Pac-10 honors, and was known for his consistency, leadership, and competitive spirit.

Upon finishing his college career, Gleason faced the next phase with determination, though he was not drafted in the NFL Draft. Instead, he entered the professional arena as an undrafted free agent — a path many consider difficult.

Career and Achievements

Early Professional Journey

In 2000, Gleason signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. New Orleans Saints, joining their practice squad later that year.

Over the following years, Gleason carved out a role on special teams, proving his value in a demanding and competitive environment.

The Block That Defined an Era

Gleason’s most iconic play came on September 25, 2006, during the Saints’ first home game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. He blocked a punt by Atlanta’s Michael Koenen; the ball was recovered for a touchdown, becoming the first score in that emotional game.

That moment resonated far beyond sport: for New Orleans, it symbolized recovery, resilience, and rebirth. Gleason’s block became a rallying emblem for a city rebuilding from disaster.

Retirement and Transition

Gleason retired from the NFL after eight seasons (through 2006).

Life-Changing Diagnosis & Advocacy

ALS Diagnosis and Public Response

In 2011, Gleason revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He publicly declared that he would not “fade away quietly” — a statement that marked the beginning of a new mission.

Gleason lost his voice over time. To continue communicating, he used technology such as infrared eye-tracking systems, allowing him to type, navigate, and speak via synthetic voice systems.

Team Gleason & Advocacy Work

Shortly after his diagnosis, Steve and Michel Gleason founded Team Gleason, a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide technology, equipment, and support services for people living with ALS and other neuromuscular diseases.

Over the years, Team Gleason has funded technological innovation (e.g. adaptive communication devices), raised awareness globally, supported patients and caregivers, and documented extraordinary life journeys of those facing neurodegenerative diseases.

Gleason’s courage and advocacy have earned him honors, including the Congressional Gold Medal (2019) and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award (2024).

His memoir, A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence, was published in 2024, reflecting on the transformations, emotional terrain, and insights shaped by his journey.

Documentary & Media Portrayals

The 2016 documentary Gleason follows five years of his life post-diagnosis, capturing moments of vulnerability, resolve, joy, and advocacy.

Legacy and Influence

Steve Gleason’s influence extends well beyond sports.

• Symbol of courage and resilience: His public stance against ALS, refusal to fade quietly, and advocacy for technology have made him an icon of strength and purpose.

• Advancement of assistive technologies: Through Team Gleason, he has propelled innovations and accessibility for communication and mobility for disabled persons.

• Community inspiration: In New Orleans and beyond, he is celebrated as a local hero — his blocked punt is memorialized with a statue outside the Superdome.

• Interpersonal effect: His life touches individuals directly, offering comfort, support, and motivation to those facing illness, adversity, or challenge.

• Cultural voice: Through speeches, writings, interviews, and media appearances, Gleason continues to advocate not just for ALS awareness, but for human empathy, dignity, and interconnection.

Personality and Strengths

Steve Gleason is widely admired for qualities that transcend athleticism:

• Tenacity & grit — whether in football or in illness, he fights with determination.

• Humility & vulnerability — he does not shy away from sharing fear, pain, or uncertainty.

• Vision & innovation — he embraces technological tools to reclaim voice, agency, and connection.

• Empathy & service — his efforts are outward-facing, focused on empowering others.

• Authenticity — his words and life reflect alignment between conviction and action.

His presence, even when physical capabilities diminished, continues to resonate as a force of moral leadership, reminding us that human spirit can shine amid the gravest trials.

Famous Quotes of Steve Gleason

Here are some powerful statements by Gleason that reflect his philosophy, courage, and insight:

“Many ALS patients end up fading away quietly and dying. For me, this was not OK. I did not want to fade away quietly.”

“Life is difficult. Not just for me or other ALS patients. Life is difficult for everyone. Finding ways to make life meaningful and purposeful … that’s the meaning of this human experience.”

“Does anyone know if Lamborghini makes wheelchair vehicles? If not, I want to change that.”

“I have moments where I miss my old self. But … we can choose to focus on the beauty of now.”

“I think about death all the time. … the only thing we can control is how we are and what we’re doing in the meantime.”

“To cure ALS medically is not economical. … Technology can be economical.”

These quotes converge on themes of agency, presence, innovation, and acceptance — even in the face of a disease that chips away at control.

Lessons from Steve Gleason

1. Purpose beyond personal success
   Gleason shows us that legacy can emerge not only from performance, but from how one chooses to face hardship and uplift others.

2. Refusing to disappear
   His decision not to fade quietly affirms that voice and presence can be preserved even when the body fails.

3. Innovation as liberation
   By adopting assistive technologies, Gleason reclaimed agency — showing that adaptation and progress can expand dignity, not diminish it.

4. Vulnerability as strength
   He invites us to accept fears, share them, and connect — knowing that authenticity builds bridges.

5. Community and interconnectedness
   He continually emphasizes that healing, purpose, and courage are collective — that we are better together.

Conclusion

Steve Gleason’s life is a powerful narrative of transformation: from undrafted underdog to NFL contributor; from symbol of a city’s rebirth to the voice of a community battling ALS. His journey illustrates how adversity can reveal purpose, how technology and compassion can restore dignity, and how a person’s legacy is not measured by what they lose, but by how they continue to live.

For those who wish to explore more of his thoughts, interviews, and initiatives, I encourage you to visit Team Gleason, watch the documentary Gleason, and read his memoir A Life Impossible. His story teaches us that even in the darkest chapters, hope, connection, and courage can remain vibrant.

— May his example continue to awaken empathy, innovation, and resolve in all of us.