Key Highlights
- Former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason shared an intimate look at his bedtime routine, revealing that his eyelids must be taped shut each night because ALS has taken away his ability to close them voluntarily.
- Gleason relies heavily on eye-tracking technology to communicate, write, and stay connected to the world, making eye care vital for his daily functioning and creative work.
- Despite the physical challenges of the disease, Gleason continues his advocacy through Team Gleason, engages in creative endeavors like his project Rebirth, and prioritizes meaningful time with his family.
Inside Steve Gleason’s Bedtime Routine with ALS
Steve Gleason, the beloved former New Orleans Saints safety, has offered a deeply vulnerable perspective on his daily life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A recently shared video displays his nighttime routine, showing a caregiver carefully applying medical tape to keep his eyelids shut for the night. Because the progressive neurodegenerative disease prevents Gleason from closing his eyes on his own, this routine step is required to achieve something that most people take for granted: falling asleep.
The intimate visual is particularly striking for football fans who remember Gleason’s athletic vigor, notably during his iconic moments on the field at the Superdome. Yet, amidst the profound physical limitations imposed by the illness, Gleason continues to emphasize what gives his life purpose. During an October appearance on Good Morning America, the former NFL star candidly recognized the harsh realities of living with advanced ALS while expressing immense gratitude for his loved ones, remarking: “I get to love this life and the people in it.”
The Crucial Role of Eye Care and Assistive Technology
Diagnosed with ALS in 2011, Gleason has seen the condition progressively affect the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time, ALS can strip away an individual’s ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe independently, though progression rates differ from patient to patient. Because his physical movement is severely restricted, Gleason relies on advanced eye-tracking hardware to interact with the world around him. By directing his gaze at a screen, he selects letters one by one to construct sentences, hold conversations, and compose literature.
This specialized system enabled Gleason to author his memoir, A Life Impossible, alongside journalist Jeff Duncan. However, operating the eye-gaze computer requires sustained focus and places intense strain on his eyes. A 2024 feature published by the New Orleans Saints detailed how Gleason’s inability to blink or close his eyes regularly disrupted their writing sessions. To protect his vision and give him respite, his dedicated care team routinely administered eye drops and used medical tape during breaks—confirming that the nighttime routine shown in the recent footage has long been essential to preserving his primary communication pathway.
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Legacy on the Field and Ongoing Advocacy with Team Gleason
For millions across the nation, Gleason’s name is permanently linked to one of the most emotional plays in NFL history. On September 25, 2006, in the Saints’ first home contest at the Superdome following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Gleason broke through the line to block an Atlanta Falcons punt. Teammate Curtis Deloatch recovered the football in the end zone for a touchdown, turning the play into an enduring symbol of resilience for the recovering city of New Orleans.
Decades later, the bond between Gleason and New Orleans remains unbroken. During an October 5 celebration honoring the team, Gleason appeared alongside his family. His son, Rivers, navigated his wheelchair across the turf, joined by Gleason’s wife, Michel, and their daughter, Gray. Together with Michel, Gleason established the nonprofit organization Team Gleason following his diagnosis. The foundation focuses on empowering individuals diagnosed with ALS by supplying assistive technology, vital medical equipment, and support services to foster independence and purpose.
Creative Projects and Daily Perseverance
Even while relying on a ventilator to breathe and utilizing eye movements to speak, Gleason maintains an active creative voice. In an interview with journalist Robin Roberts, he highlighted his project titled Rebirth, which blends his original poetry with music composed by New Orleans artists. Gleason also discussed the deliberate, demanding task of generating speech and writing letter by letter, showcasing the immense determination behind every message he delivers to the public.
Why This Matters
Steve Gleason’s transparency regarding the realities of ALS demystifies the complex caregiving required for advanced neurological conditions. By openly displaying the routine use of medical tape and assistive technologies, Gleason brings widespread public attention to the vital role of assistive communication devices and specialized daily care. Furthermore, his efforts through Team Gleason have influenced public policy and expanded access to speech-generating software for individuals living with motor neuron diseases, demonstrating how technological solutions can preserve human dignity and family connection in the face of progressive illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Steve Gleason need his eyelids taped shut?
Because amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) causes severe muscle weakness and loss of voluntary motor function, Steve Gleason can no longer close his eyes or blink on his own. His caregivers must use medical tape to keep his eyelids shut so he can rest and protect his eyes from damage.
How does Steve Gleason communicate?
Gleason communicates using eye-tracking technology. By focusing his gaze on specific letters and commands on a specialized computer screen, he builds words and sentences letter by letter, allowing him to speak through a computerized voice, compose books, and write poetry.
What is Team Gleason?
Team Gleason is a charitable foundation launched by Steve Gleason and his wife, Michel, following his 2011 diagnosis. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living with ALS by providing access to innovative assistive technology, essential equipment, and dedicated support services.
