Saints put CouGreat Gleason in bronze

STEVE GLEASON's heroics on the football field are here forever. The New Orleans Saints today unveiled a giant bronze statue of one of the most indeilible moments in franchise history. Surrounded by the entire Saints team, Gleason looked on this morning as "Rebirth," which depicts his famous 2006 punt block that supercharged a Katrina-ravaged community, was unveiled.

The statue has been erected outside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Gleason yesterday told NFL.com that "I don't want this to be about me and that play. I want it to be about what that play symbolized, which was a commitment by this community to rebuild. This statue is about coming through adversity. It's about finding your heroes. It's about commitment and a rebirth for all."

Gleason was a standout linebacker for the Cougars from 1996-99 and starred on the 1998 Rose Bowl team. He concluded his WSU career as one the most prolific tacklers in school history.

Last year Steve made it public that was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Cehrig's disease, and has been raising money and awareness of the disease ever since through his Team Gleason Foundation.

The Times-Picayune in New Orleans today ran a touching story HERE on Steve and his battle against ALS.

Here are photos from today's statue unveling: