Steve Gleason

Who Dat Nation ate roasted Falcon Thursday night after the Saints made sure Atlanta took their first loss home in their luggage, 31-21.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason, who has been battling ALS, is a huge fan of Pearl Jam and good friends with guitarist Mike McCready. Pearl Jam headlined the first night of the 2013 Voodoo Experience in New Orleans City Park on Friday night. Gleason, who now has to use a computer to speak, joined the band on stage to introduce them to the crowd.

For those New Orleans Saints fans who follow former safety Steve Gleason's journey, as he battles with ALS, you are most likely familiar with his organization Team Gleason. Back in February, we posted a story about Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready running in a New Orleans marathon in support of Team Gleason.

Steve Gleason made national headlines yesterday for two reasons. One, he wrote a 4,500 word column for Sports Illustrated, detailing his battle with ALS. And two, because three Atlanta radio hosts made a segment belittling and mocking Gleason, as well as his incurable disease. The latter moved the needle more than the former, but Gleason has responded to the incident, in the only way you'd expect him to...with class.

A sports radio station in Atlanta aired a three minute segment this morning, pretending to talk to former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason. Gleason suffers from ALS, and communicates by using a computer. The morning show recorded a segment speaking to a computer, claiming it was Gleason. Allegedly, one line used in the disgraceful bit was of "Gleason" saying, "I might be dead by Thursday." This is disgusting.

Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready will be running in the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon this Sunday in support of Team Gleason. McCready and former New Orleans Saint Steve Gleason became friends around two years ago when Gleason, who has ALS, went back stage at a Pearl Jam concert.

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation presents Gleason Gras 2011 in association with the New Orleans Saints and Rehage Entertainment live Sunday, November 27th in Champions Square at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome from 11am-6pm. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 11th at 6pm.