2018 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 8
BY SENATOR LONG AND REPRESENTATI VE HILFERTY
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Steve Gleason on receiving the 2018 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership
Award.
WHEREAS, the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award is presented
annually by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's thirty-member Louisiana Sports Hall
of Fame selection committee to an individual who has played a decisive role as a sports
leader or administrator benefitting Louisiana and bringing credit to the state on the national
and international level; and
WHEREAS, the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award is named in honor
of Hall of Famer Dave Dixon, the driving force behind bringing the National Football
League to Louisiana with the creation of the New Orleans Saints franchise and the man who
is also considered the "father" of the Mercedes-Benz Louisiana Superdome; and
WHEREAS, retired New Orleans Saints football player Steve Gleason is the 2018
recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award presented by the Louisiana
Sports Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Steve Gleason was a standout dual collegiate sport athlete at
Washington State University where he started as a linebacker in the 1997 Rose Bowl and
started four years for the Cougars baseball team; and
WHEREAS, Steve Gleason was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity while
attending Washington State University; and
WHEREAS, as a professional football player, Steve Gleason was originally signed
as an undrafted free agent and played for the New Orleans Saints from 2000 through
2006; and
WHEREAS, on September 25, 2006, Steve Gleason earned a permanent place in
Saints lore when he blocked a punt against a rival team in the first quarter of the game; and
Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 8 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, the blocked punt resulted in a touchdown and was one of the most
dramatic moments in New Orleans Saints history; and
WHEREAS, that touchdown marked the first score in New Orleans in nearly
twenty-one months, during which time Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city of
New Orleans and the team; and
WHEREAS, a statue depicting Steve Gleason blocking the punt was raised outside
the Superdome as a symbol of New Orleans' resilience in the face of disaster; and
WHEREAS, two years after retiring from the New Orleans Saints, Steve Gleason
was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's
disease; and
WHEREAS, Steve Gleason, along with his friends and family, started Team Gleason,
which is designed to generate public awareness for ALS, raise funds to help those fighting
the disease, and ultimately find a cure for the disease; and
WHEREAS, Steve Gleason's continuing efforts and his indomitable lifestyle have
made a national and global impact; and
WHEREAS, Steve Gleason will be among the 2018 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
induction class to be spotlighted at the annual induction dinner and ceremonies on Saturday
evening, June thirtieth, at the Natchitoches Event Center.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Steve Gleason on receiving the 2018 Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership
Award.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Steve Gleason.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Page 2 of 2