"IT'S BLOCKED!" 🙌
Steve Gleason's blocked punt was 17 years ago today ⚜️@SteveGleason | @TeamGleason
📺 Next Up: Saints vs Buccaneers on Sunday (Noon CT on FOX) pic.twitter.com/ITIDQwpsCm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 25, 2023
There are 37 days left in our countdown to the New Orleans saints’ season opener, and there isn’t a better pick for the Saints Play of the Day than Steve Gleason’s iconic blocked punt.
Gleason, who of course wore the No. 37 jersey, was already a fan-favorite before he earned his place in Saints history — known for his brash sense of humor and devil-may-care style of play. He burst through the Atlanta Falcons line to block their punt in the game’s opening minutes, which was recovered by his teammate Curtis DeLoatch who returned it for a special teams touchdown.
That’s impressive enough, but circumstances are what made this such a special play. It was the first game the Saints played in front of their home crowd at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. It was a matchup against their oldest, bitterest rivals. And it was just the third game the Saints had played with Sean Payton, Drew Brees, and Reggie Bush in place as the new faces of the franchise.
And Gleason’s contributions to this win have been rightfully immortalized. There’s a bronze statue dedicated to his blocked punt in this “Rebirth” game standing outside the Superdome overlooking Champion’s Square that remains a popular pilgrimage site for Saints fans. Gleason’s battle with ALS in retirement has continued to keep him in fans’ minds, and plays like this one are why they fell in love with him in the first place.
