SPOKANE, Wash.-- Football players are inducted into various halls of fame all the time, but Gonzaga Prep inducted a football player named Steve Gleason into their hall of fame not just because he was a star on the field, but also because of his amazing ability to inspire.
Steve was a special teams standout for the New Orleans Saints in 2006 when they were playing their first game in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.
Early in the game, Steve blocked a punt and the Saints recovered the loose ball for a touchdown. The city of New Orleans seemed to exhale and announce to the world it was back.
"That's probably, in my opinion, the biggest play in Saints history," said Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
"Infinite joy, man, infinite joy... I've been here 7 years, man, so I’ve been through it with this city," said Steve the night of his legendary play.
But before he lifted the people of New Orleans, Steve was inspiring fans as a standout linebacker at Gonzaga Prep in the mid-90's earning GSL Defensive MVP two times.
Considered a little small for a Pac-10 linebacker, he still started three years at WSU and helped lead them to the Rose Bowl.
Undrafted out of college, he was initially unwanted in the pros, but he persevered, carving an unlikely eight year NFL career with the Saints as a kamikaze special teams player.
Back in 2003, Gleason told KREM 2 News, “People have embraced me out in New Orleans, because I’m that kind of guy. They watch a game and say, ‘We want to love you.’"
A lot of that love comes from Steve's free spirit and wanting to give back.
Eight years ago he spent two months of his off season surfing and playing in New Zealand, At the spur of the moment when he arrived he bought a car and sold it when it was time to come home.
He also created the One Sweet World Foundation that included a website promoting literacy and biofuel.
Already a cult hero in New Orleans before Katrina, his role was bolstered further when his foundation brought new backpacks full of school supplies to children who lost everything in the hurricane.
Steve's inspiration didn't end when he retired from the Saints, but the way he's come to inspire isn't something he planned.
In January, Steve learned he had ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's Disease. It's a rare, terminal condition that damages the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement.
Steve announced his condition to the public on Sept. 25th, when he also served as honorary Saints captain in their win against the Houston Texans. He raised his hand at midfield and sent Saints fans into their pregame cheer. Afterwards he hugged former coaches and teammates.
Eight years ago, he summed up his life approach in an interview with KREM 2 News that still holds today.
"Every day I go out I'm going to have fun because I don't know when this is going to end," said Gleason.
That approach hasn't changed with his diagnosis. It also signaled his next moves.
He and he wife took off on a three month adventure in a van across the country and into Canada, visiting their friends along the way, including his G-Prep coaches and friends.
Steve and his wife also decided to have a baby. Along the journey Steve kept a video journal for his unborn son, who he may never be able to have a conversation with.
On October 19th, Steve met his son, Rivers Gleason, born in a New Orleans hospital.
Rivers is why Steve stayed home in Louisiana and couldn't be at the G-Prep hall of fame induction.
But as our Steve's father accepted his Steve’s plaque on Steve’s behalf at the induction it was clear Steve’s induction wasn't just about the blocked punt in New Orleans. It's about the inspiration his entire life and this new challenge have given others, as well as himself.
Steve put it best in his note to Gonzaga Prep read by his father during the induction ceremony:
"Five years ago I was playing football against super-humans… Last night I struggled to put a fork in my mouth during dinner and Michel had to button my pants this morning. As I write this, my little son is fast asleep. A reflection of him I sit here with a quiet peace in my heart, knowing that my life has and will continue to unfold as God plans."
While Steve is currently in treatment for his ALS, he still managed to finish his studies at Tulane University and received his MBA this summer.
He's also launched a project called Team Gleason. It's a group dedicated to raise awareness of ALS.
The goal is to help Steve maintain a quality life while he looks to heal and provide for his family. Everyone is invited to join Team Gleason.
