Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints safety battling ALS, had an accident while exiting his van, his wife Michel Varisco Gleason said in a social media post. The 47-year-old was on the road to recovery following the incident.
Gleason had an accident exiting his van to speak at the Gleason Life Skills Volleyball Clinic, where he was mangled on the asphalt. Miraculously, he was spared greater injury due to being strapped into his wheelchair and the swift action of his care team, a passerby doctor, and family.
His wife joked that Gleason was gearing up for a fight against Jake Paul. Gleason is at home resting and grateful for his life and the support and love from everyone.
Gleason played seven seasons with the Saints from 2000 to 2006 and had 71 total tackles in 83 games. He revealed in 2011 that he was battling ALS and was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award earlier this year.
This is not the first incident Gleason has faced. He needed to be moved to a hospital as Hurricane Francine impacted Louisiana earlier this year.
