Reliving Steve Gleason’s Punt Block Heard Around The NFL [Video]
Thirteen years ago today (9/25), Steve Gleason blocked a punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
In a moment that was a true testament to how far New Orleans, it's people, the state of Louisiana, and the entire Gulf coast had come, Steve Gleason's blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown sounded around the entire NFL.
The Saints were home. In the first game in the Superdome after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Falcons went 3 and out on their first possession.
Punter Michael Koenen received the ball and reared back for a punt. But not before Steve Gleason broke through the line and executed a perfectly blocked punt that lit a fire to an entire region of this nation.
There's a reason that there is now a beautiful statue commemorating this particular play that sits proudly outside of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
I remember working nights at Planet Radio 96.5, watching the game in the studio. There were only about 2-3 other people in the building. When Gleason blocked that punt, I screamed so loud that I was sure that I wouldn't be able to continue my show because I was going to be hoarse.
Where were you when the "block heard round the world" happened?