Gleason initially joined the Saints in the middle of the 2000 season, following a standout career at Washington State. In seven seasons, he played in 83 games and excelled on special teams, recording 98 tackles, two fumble recoveries and four blocked punts, to go with 11 defensive tackles. Like Porter, on-the-field, Gleason is respected by the Saints fan base for one of the franchise’s biggest plays, a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown on Sept. 25, 2006 in a 23-3 win over Atlanta in the reopening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. One of the team’s most community-minded members of the team, during his playing tenure, admiration for Gleason has only increased during his courageous battle with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Since his initial diagnosis in 2011, Gleason has poured his efforts into his nonprofit “Team Gleason”, which supports people living with ALS via technology, equipment and services. Through his efforts with Team Gleason and another locally-based global nonprofit “Answer ALS”, which is focused on finding a cure, he has collectively helped raise over $100 million to benefit those battling ALS. Team Gleason has provided over $55 million in technology, equipment, adventure and care services to people living with ALS, while Answer ALS has raised over $45 million towards the scientific quest for a cure.

Gleason has been recognized worldwide for his courage and philanthropy, becoming the first professional football player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, receiving ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and the George Halas Award (Pro Football Writers of America) for his perseverance and dedication.

Events surrounding the induction of Porter and Maxie, and the recognition of Daniels and Gleason will take place on the weekend of December 14, surrounding the Saints-Carolina Panthers game.

PREVIOUS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

1988—Archie Manning and Danny Abramowicz
1989—Tommy Myers and Tom Dempsey
1990—Billy Kilmer
1991—Tony Galbreath and Derland Moore
1992—George Rogers, Jake Kupp and John Hill
1993—Joe Federspiel
1994—Henry Childs and Jim Finks
1995—Doug Atkins and Bob Pollard
1996—Dave Whitsell and Dave Waymer
1997—Stan Brock and Rickey Jackson
1998—Dalton Hilliard and Sam Mills
1999—Bobby Hebert and Eric Martin
2000—Pat Swilling and Vaughan Johnson
2001—Jim Wilks and Hoby Brenner
2002—Jim Mora and Frank Warren
2003—Jim Dombrowski and Wayne Martin
2004—Rueben Mayes and Steve Sidwell
**2005—No induction due to Hurricane Katrina
2006—Joel Hilgenberg
2007—Joe Johnson
2008—William Roaf
2009—Morten Andersen
2010—Joe Horn
2011—Sammy Knight
2012—Tom Benson and Deuce McAllister
2013—La’Roi Glover
2014—Aaron Brooks and John Carney
2015—Tyrone Hughes and Michael Lewis
2016—Will Smith
2017—Jonathan Vilma and Carl Nicks
2018—Lance Moore and Pierre Thomas
2019—Reggie Bush and Marques Colston
2020—NO INDUCTEES due to pandemic
2021—Jahri Evans and Roman Harper
2022—Devery Henderson and Fred McAfee
2023—Jabari Greer
2024—Drew Brees

PREVIOUS JOE GEMELLI FLEUR DE LIS AWARD RECIPIENTS

1989—Al Hirt
1990—Joe Gemelli (award later named for him)
1991—Dave Dixon
1992—Charlie Kertz
1993—Wayne Mack
1994—Erby Aucoin
1995—Aaron Broussard
1996—Marie Knutson
1997—Angela Hill
1998—Joe Impastato
1999—Frank Wilson
2000—Bob Remy
2001—Peter “Champ” Clark
2002—Dean Kleinschmidt
2003—Jim Fast
2004—Bob Roesler
2005—NO INDUCTEES due to Hurricane Katrina
2006—Buddy Diliberto
2007—New Orleans Saints Fans (Marcy Beter)
2008—Barra Birrcher
2009—Jerry Romig
2010—Dan Simmons and Glennon “Silky” Powell
2011—Bruce Miller
2012—Jim Henderson
2013—Pete Finney
2014—Al Nastasi and Tony Piazza
2015—Doug Thornton
2016—Hokie Gajan
2017—Jay Romig
2018—Michael C. Hebert
2019—Gov. Kathleen Blanco
2020—NO INDUCTEES due to pandemic
2021—Marco Garcia
2022—Kevin Mangum
2023—Steve Paretti and Bob Parkinson
2024—Doug Moreau