Saints Legend Steve Gleason Shares Smiling Photos from His Hospital Bed After Experiencing Medical Emergency

Mar. 15, 2025

Saints Legend Steve Gleason Shares Smiling Photos from His Hospital Bed After Undergoing Medical Emergency During Hurricane Francine.Photo:Steve Gleason/X

Steve Gleason/X

Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason is recovering following a medical emergency last week.

Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, experienced extremely low blood pressure and a fever on Wednesday, Sept. 11, prompting his doctor to advise him to go to the hospital for further evaluation,ESPN reported.

But due to extreme weather conditions in the wake of Hurricane Francine, getting to Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans proved difficult,his team wrote on X.

First responders with the New Orleans Fire Department and New Orleans EMS were able to transport the former football safety to the facility where he was listed in stable condition, according to Gleason’s team.

Safety Steve Gleason #37 of the New Orleans Saints walks on the field before the start of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 21, 2003 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Saints 20-19.Jamie Squire/Getty

Jamie Squire/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“He’s continuing to be treated, and we are hopeful Steve will do what Steve does and warrior through to get home as quickly as possible,” his rep Clare Durrett told ESPN on Saturday.

Gleason, who played seven seasons on the Saints, famously blocked a punt in 2006 during the team’s first game back in the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina.

His effort served as a metaphor for the city’s resilience, and is a part of the franchise’s lore.

In an email interview with PEOPLE in 2022, Gleason gave a glimpse about how he communicates — and shared his positive mindset.

“I use a Microsoft Surface Pro, which is like my control center. I have an infrared eye tracker that senses where I’m looking, it allows me to navigate a computer or tablet just as any ordinary person,” Gleason said. “I am able to drive my wheelchair with my eyes.”

source: people.com