| Steve Gleason Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 11 in or 180 cm |
| Weight | 96 kg or 212 lbs |
| Date of Birth | March 19, 1977 |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Image: United States Senate – Office of Lisa Murkowski / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Steve Gleason is an American former NFL safety and special teams player who spent eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints and is best known for blocking a punt in the Superdome’s post-Katrina reopening on September 25, 2006. Standing 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) and listed at 212 lbs (96 kg) during his playing days, he has become one of the most visible advocates for people living with ALS since his 2011 diagnosis. In January 2020, he became the first NFL player awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Born Name
Stephen Michael Gleason
Nick Name
Gleason goes by Steve
Saints fans and teammates have also called him “Superman,” a nod to the blocked punt and the jersey-ripping image tied to it.
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
Spokane, Washington, United States
Nationality
Education
He attended Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He then went to Washington State University, starting at linebacker for the Cougars and also playing two seasons of college baseball as an outfielder.
Occupation
Former professional football player, ALS advocate, author, and founder of the Team Gleason nonprofit.
Family
- Father – Mike Gleason
- Mother – Gail Gleason
- Siblings – He has an older brother, Kyle Gleason.
Net Worth
Steve Gleason’s net worth is estimated at around $3 million, built from his NFL salaries, book and documentary proceeds, and speaking work.
The bulk of the money raised under his name goes through Team Gleason, which has distributed tens of millions of dollars in technology and equipment to ALS patients.
Build
Athletic during his playing career. He was considered undersized for a linebacker coming out of Washington State and converted to safety and special teams in the NFL.
Height
He stands 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall, which is short for the linebacker spot he played in college and part of why he went undrafted.
Image: Collision Conf from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At 5 ft 11 in (180 cm), Steve Gleason stands about two inches above the average American man (5 ft 9 in), yet he was two inches shorter than his former Saints quarterback-turned-friend circle average and notably undersized for an NFL safety — making his special-teams heroics even more remarkable.
Weight
He weighed about 212 lbs (96 kg) while active in the NFL.
Girlfriend / Spouse
Steve Gleason has been married to Michel Rae Varisco since 2008. The two met in New Orleans while he was playing for the Saints and married in a ceremony that year. In January 2011, at age 33, Gleason was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; weeks later, the couple learned Michel was pregnant. Their son, Rivers Gleason, was born on October 19, 2011, and much of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Gleason (2016) consists of video diaries Steve recorded for Rivers while he still had his voice. The couple’s second child, daughter Gray Gleason, arrived in 2018 via surrogate. Michel has served as his primary caregiver and as a board member of Team Gleason, and the film does not soften how heavy that role has been on the marriage.
Race / Ethnicity
White
He’s of mixed European descent, including Irish roots.
Hair Color
Light Brown
Eye Color
Blue
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Shaved head and full beard, worn for most of the past decade
- Wide, expressive smile that’s survived the progression of his illness
- Tobii eye-tracking speech device mounted to his wheelchair
- Tattoos on his arms and chest, including Japanese kanji and script work
Religion
He was raised in a Christian household and educated at a Jesuit high school.
He has since described his beliefs in broader spiritual terms rather than strict denominational ones, and his memoir spends considerable time on that shift.
Best Known For
The blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons on September 25, 2006, the first Saints home game after Hurricane Katrina — a play now immortalized in the “Rebirth” statue outside the Caesars Superdome. He’s also known for the Steve Gleason Act of 2015, the documentary Gleason, and the Congressional Gold Medal he received on January 15, 2020.
First NFL Team
He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000 before joining the New Orleans Saints, where he played from 2000 through 2008, appearing in 83 regular season games.
Steve Gleason’s Facts
- He blocked four punts over his NFL career, but only one of them got a bronze statue.
- Before the ALS diagnosis, he climbed to Machu Picchu, trekked in Alaska, and did a stint with Inca Link in Peru — restlessness that carried over into post-diagnosis trips to the Arctic and a bungee jump taken from his wheelchair.
- The Steve Gleason Act, signed into law in July 2015, restored Medicare coverage for speech-generating devices; a permanent version followed in 2018.
- Gleason, directed by Clay Tweel, premiered at Sundance in January 2016 and was assembled from more than 1,500 hours of home footage.
- He received the ESPY Awards’ Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in 2014 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2020, the first NFL player to be given the latter.
- The Saints have not formally retired his No. 37, but it hasn’t been issued to a defensive back since.
- His memoir, A Life Impossible, co-written with Jeff Duncan, was published in May 2024.
- He played two seasons of baseball at Washington State and was good enough that pro scouts took a look.
- Team Gleason House for Innovative Living, opened in New Orleans in 2014, was the first residence of its kind built specifically for ALS patients using eye-tracking technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Steve Gleason?
Steve Gleason is 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) tall, which was considered undersized for an NFL safety.
How much does Steve Gleason weigh?
Steve Gleason weighed around 96 kg (212 lbs) during his playing career with the New Orleans Saints.
How old is Steve Gleason?
Steve Gleason was born on March 19, 1977.
What is Steve Gleason known for?
He is best known for blocking a punt in the New Orleans Saints’ first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina on September 25, 2006 — a moment immortalized by the ‘Rebirth’ statue outside the stadium. He is also a globally recognized ALS advocate.
What is Steve Gleason’s net worth?
Steve Gleason’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. His income has come from his eight-season NFL career, book and documentary projects, and speaking work, while his nonprofit Team Gleason operates separately.
Is Steve Gleason married?
Yes. Steve Gleason is married to Michel Varisco, and the couple has a son, Rivers, and a daughter, Gray.
When was Steve Gleason diagnosed with ALS?
He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in January 2011 and later founded Team Gleason to supply technology and care to others living with the disease. In 2020, he received the Congressional Gold Medal for his advocacy.
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Last Updated: October 25, 2026 | Source: Healthy Celeb
