Amazing letter to the family of New Orleans from Saints hero Steve Gleason

From one of the family, thank you: Steve Gleason

Published: Sunday, October 09, 2011, 8:41 AM

By Contributing Op-Ed columnist The Times-Picayune It seems a normality now, but when I first moved to New Orleans I was astonished by the closeness of the families I met. Moving here from Washington State in 2000 for my rookie year with the Saints was an eye-opening experience. From day one, I felt strangely connected, like family.

John McCusker/The Times-PicayuneFormer New Orleans Saints special teams ace Steve Gleason walks with quarterback Drew Brees to lead the pregame 'Who Dat' chant before Sunday's game against the Houston Texans on Sunday at the Superdome.

That year I remember being invited to Mark Hughes' parents' house for Christmas Eve. There must have been 100 people at the house, and they were all family members.
I made a remark about how amazed I was that all this family flew into New Orleans for Christmas that year. Mark promptly replied that no one had flown in, and, not only that, everyone lived within 10 minutes of the house.
Unbelievable.
When I met Michel, we had red beans and rice at her parents' house. Her brothers, Vinnie and Paul Jr., drove a mile from their houses, and her grandfather walked a half block from his house to join us. Three generations within a mile of each other. Amazing.
During the past 11 years of my life I have been overwhelmed by the concept of family that is so very unique to New Orleans. When asked about New Orleans, I always tell people that the sense of family and community is this city's strongest asset. I absolutely love walking into a locally owned restaurant and feeling like I just stumbled into a neighbor's house as they are setting dinner.
When Michel and I were married in 2008 on the Bayou St. John bridge we danced with friends and family on the streets of the city. Now it seems only fitting that Michel and I will start our own family here as we are expecting our first child in a few short weeks.
Many of you reading this may know that on Sept. 25, I announced that I had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Although I knew the story could be a national topic because of my time in the NFL, I decided that the news should come from New Orleans. I wanted the announcement to come from New Orleans because the city is my home and the people here have become my family. Looking back on the past two weeks, this was clearly the right decision.
Michel and I have been overwhelmed by the response from the city and the region. Jeff Duncan wrote a remarkable article, and The Times-Picayune was incredibly generous with its resources. The Saints family continues to be supportive, and our experience during the Texans game was incredible. Breaking the team down with Drew, the coin toss, the "Who Dat" chant -- seeing my wife and my mom practically high-fiving the defensive secondary after Jabari Greer's interception -- was awesome.
On the following Monday night, during a surprise ring ceremony at Mr. Johns Steakhouse, Scott Fujita went around the room embarrassing us all and rehashing memories with us as if we were all family. Confirming the family concept, Mayor Mitch Landrieu gave me a key to our city. I tried getting into the Superdome with the key, but the doors all said "Mercedes-Benz Staff Only."
During the diagnosis process my primary objective was to inspire people to see a fresh perspective on their lives while motivating them to live a full, extraordinary life no matter what. Somehow, the script has been flipped. As I write this, inspiration and motivation continue to pile up on my desk and my email inbox.
The most incredible response has been from you, the people who have taken us in as if we were family.
We have received heartfelt emails, prayers, volunteers, T-shirt ideas -- all driven by your willingness to act. We've had blueberry cobbler delivered to our door. In one email, I learned that an 8-year-old boy donated his entire year's allowance at the ALS walk in Metairie last Saturday. Overwhelming.
We have much to do and many obstacles ahead, but I think that there is no stronger power than the power of family. As we New Orleanians have proven time and time again, a strong family can overcome anything. Thank you for allowing me to be a member of the beautiful, powerful, loving New Orleans family.
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Steve Gleason is a former special teams star for the Saints and a recent MBA graduate from Tulane University. He can be contacted through Team Gleason at www.team-gleason.com, facebook.com/teamgleason.org, on Twitter at @team_gleason and email, teamgleason37@gmail.com.