Steve Gleason Returns as Saints Mark 20-Year Superdome Milestone

Steve Gleason returned to the Superdome on October 5 as the New Orleans Saints marked the 20th anniversary of their return to the stadium after Hurricane Katrina, revisiting the blocked punt that made him a lasting figure in New Orleans. The celebration also came as Gleason marked 15 years since his 2011 ALS diagnosis. The NFL announced a $500,000 donation to Answer ALS’s Champion Insights program, which studies the disease among professional football players, other elite athletes, veterans and first responders. Gleason’s blocked punt came during the Saints’ September 25, 2006, game against the Atlanta Falcons, their first home game at the Superdome after the hurricane. Teammate Curtis Deloatch recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, and New Orleans won 23-3. The play became known as Rebirth and was remembered as part of the city’s return to the stadium. At the anniversary celebration, Gleason’s son Rivers pushed his wheelchair onto the field, where Gleason led the crowd in the Saints’ Who Dat chant, according to event coverage. Former teammates and family members joined the gathering. The anniversary game ended with Atlanta defeating New Orleans 45-24.