Former New Orleans Saints safety and ALS defender Steve Gleason is in stable condition and recovering at a local hospital following a medical event earlier this week, according to his publicist Clare Durrett.
Durrett said Gleason had a fever and extremely low blood pressure on Wednesday, prompting his doctor to suggest he be taken to a hospital.
However, this came after Hurricane Francine, a Category 2 storm, made landfall near Morgan City, Louisiana, with sustained winds of nearly 100 mph. Nearly 390,000 Louisiana residents lost power, and New Orleans and surrounding areas experienced some street flooding.
Durrett said there was concern that EMS and emergency services might not be able to reach Gleason, but “fortunately, they were able to get to him at a time when Steve's health was deteriorating.”
“He was stabilized immediately and transferred to Ochsner,” Durrett said. “He remains there and stable. He continues to receive treatment and we are hopeful that Steve will do what Steve does and fight to get home as soon as possible.”
Gleason's official X account posted an update Thursday morning thanking first responders and the hospital for caring for Gleason.
Gleason was diagnosed with ALS, a disease for which there is no cure, in 2011 and now breathes through a ventilator. He communicates with his eyes via a specialized tablet attached to his wheelchair.
Gleason's team posted a message from him on Friday: “ALS is a disease that looks like a hurricane. And on September 11th, in the midst of Hurricane Francine, power outages and poor phone service, Hurricane ALS made landfall. Thank you for the powerful love and support from all of you. Celebrate this opportunity to be alive and breathing. Love you all, SG.”
A message from Steve. image.twitter.com/pfYEwFANJE
— Steve Gleason – “Living is impossible” (@SteveGleason) September 13, 2024
Gleason, a former Saints special teams captain who played seven seasons for New Orleans, is best known on the field for his blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ first game after the Superdome reopened in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina. He is now an advocate for ALS awareness, working through his nonprofit Team Gleason to provide technology, equipment and support services to others living with ALS.
Gleason received the 2024 Arthur Ashe Courage Award in July. He and co-writer Jeff Duncan also recently published Gleason's memoir “A Life Impossible,” which Gleason wrote using his eyes.
