In remembrance, of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that formed on Aug. 23, 2005, and made landfall in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2005, SportsCenter ran a special segment featuring New Orleans’ residents letters to their city.
Saints legend pens inspiring letter to New Orleans on 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
Have tissues handy.
One of those letters was from Steve Gleason, the former Saints’ safety who famously blocked that punt against the Falcons in 2006. Gleason became a legend that day, and he has never stopped inspiring people since then.
In 2011, Gleason was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes paralysis. He sent a powerfully moving message to New Orleans.
The entire beautiful video will give you chills with adorable shots of Gleason and his son, as he narrates.
“In 2011, I was diagnosed with a hurricane of a disease – ALS. Terminal. Death, two to five years. Like this city’s levees in 2005 my invincible body has failed me. But like the residents of a city built two feet below sea level, I choose to be an idealist. We simply must be steadfast, maniacal idealists.”
He explains what was going through his head when he blocked Atlanta’s punt in ‘06:
“Many people say the 2006 Saints gave hope to the people of New Orleans. I see it differently. When I blocked the punt on that Monday night with the world watching I was buoyed by a stadium and a city full of preposterous, hair-brained, unyielding and passionate idealists. We call them Who Dats.”
And he speaks to the spunky, steadfast character of the city he now calls family.
“This city breeds and attracts unique, outrageous people. Bedraggled people who are honest enough to consecrate their shortcomings. Innovative people who see opportunity where others see chaos.”
The video of Gleason reading his letter was filmed to raise money for the Evacuspot campaign. You can read the full transcript over at Uproxx.
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