Photo via CBS Sports

Steve Gleason opens up on how Saints' 'Rebirth' game has kept him alive through ALS battle 20 years later

New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason reflected on how the team’s 2006 ‘Rebirth’ game—marked by his iconic blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons—mirrors his own resilience in battling ALS. The play, which occurred just 90 seconds into the Saints’ return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, became a symbol of hope for the city, and Gleason now sees parallels in his personal journey.

Diagnosed with ALS in 2011, Gleason has defied the disease’s typical prognosis, thriving far beyond the average life expectancy for patients. His return to the Superdome this season, for a Week 4 rematch against the Falcons, will honor that historic 2006 squad and serve as a poignant reminder of both the city’s and his own renewal.

Gleason described the stadium as a ‘mirror’ of his own fight, emphasizing the shared lessons of perseverance. The 20th anniversary celebration underscores the enduring impact of that game—and his life—on New Orleans.

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