Steve Gleason served as an honorary team captain before Sunday's Saints game against Houston (Photo: Michael C. Hebert / New Orleans Saints)
© (Photo: Michael C. Hebert / New Orleans Saints)Former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason, who played at Gonzaga Prep in high school and at Washington State in college, has Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Gleason went public with the news last week.
The 34-year-old Gleason, who blocked a punt in the Saints first game in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, formed an organization to help others who have the same disease. The disease causes paralysis, is currently incurable and is fatal.
Gleason retired from the NFL in 2008. He is married, with he and his wife expecting their first child in late October. He hopes the way he deals with ALS can inspire people as much as anything he did in football.
The New Orleans Saints honored Gleason on Sunday, naming him an honorary team captain for the game against Houston. He walked onto the field with a noticeable limp and held onto quarterback Drew Brees for support.
(with information from The Associated Press)
