Ex-Saints safety Steve Gleason injured after toppling from van

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason is recovering at home after an accident he suffered Saturday while exiting his van to speak at a volleyball clinic.

According to a social media post by his wife Michel, Gleason, 47, ended up slumped on the ground.

“It was traumatic for him and for all of us who witnessed him being destroyed on the tarmac,” she said in the post.

Steve had an accident leaving his van yesterday to speak at the Gleason Life Skills Volleyball Clinic. It was traumatic for him and for all of us who saw him missing on the tarmac. Although he is hurt, it could have been a lot worse.

Miraculously, he was spared major… pic.twitter.com/dIuFqrxUx5

— Steve Gleason – “Live Impossible” (@SteveGleason) 25 November 2024

“Miraculously, he was spared major injuries because he was strapped into his wheelchair and because of the quick response of his care team, a passing doctor and family.”

Michel went on to joke that her husband was preparing for “his fight against Jake Paul.”

Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and uses a ventilator to breathe, was hospitalized for six days in September due to low blood pressure and a fever.

The former Saints special teams captain played for New Orleans for seven seasons. He is best known for his blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints’ first game back after the Superdome reopened in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

Gleason is now an advocate for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis awareness, and his foundation, Team Gleason, provides technology, equipment and support services to others living with ALS.

He was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS in July.