Former Saints defensive back Steve Gleason live-tweeted the Saints-Eagles playoff game on Saturday using his eyes. Gleason suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The former NFL player was responsible for one of the best moments in New Orleans football history when he blocked a punt in the first game played at the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
However, ALS sidelined Gleason and eventually took away his ability to walk and talk. But that hasn’t stopped him from rooting for his team at home, which he happily did for a few hours on Saturday evening. His tweets about the game were intermingled with a few tweets about ALS and another important landmark.
I was diagnosed w ALS Jan 5 2011. The average life span is 3yrs. So, if I can hang on for 17 more hours I can b above average”! whoo whoo!
— steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Simply speaking, ALS destroys neurons, which destroy muscles. No walking. No eating. No breathing. No life. 3 years. https://t.co/K02cGwcLV8
— steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Along with the more serious talk, Gleason was more than willing to joke around with fans, and even had a bit of an overshare regarding erectile dysfunction.
In New Orleans today, they say, “Who dat said they gunna beat them Saints?” If Thomas Jefferson wrote it in 1776, it would read… — steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Who are the particular people who hath the declaration, they hold the power to usurp another people, called the Saints? — steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Would you pay to watch actual saints fight actual eagles? Who wins? — steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
u people mis type worse than “eye” do!! — steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Speaking of awful erectile disfunction commercials…. ALS takes almost everything but NOT that !! #stillgotit — steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
Of course, there were also a few serious tweets about the game, followed by a bit of excitement when the Saints won.
Assuming Keenans injury was a head injury, its more important that he take care of his head than the Saints win this game. #realitycheck
— steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
great win. thanx for joning me tonight! i m fueled by your support… End ALS: https://t.co/K02cGwcLV8
— steve gleason (@TeamGleason) January 5, 2014
No word yet on whether Steve Gleason will live-tweet next weekend’s game between the Saints and the Seattle Seahawks.
[H/T: Bleacher Report, Image: Twitter]
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