Originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000, he played for the Saints through the 2006 season.

He was a four-year starter for the WSU baseball team in center field and holds the school record for triples.

[10] On September 25, 2006, Gleason was responsible for one of the most dramatic and memorable moments in Saints history when he blocked a punt by Atlanta Falcons punter Michael Koenen early in the first quarter of a game at the Superdome.

It was the first score in the Saints' first game in New Orleans in nearly 21 months, during which time Hurricane Katrina had devastated the city and the team.

[12] The Saints won the game and went on to have one of the most successful seasons in their history up to that time, going to the NFC Championship that year.

[16] Gleason collaborated with filmmaker Sean Pamphilon to produce a documentary on his battle with ALS that would double as a video journal for his infant son, Rivers.

[18] Gleason was featured in an episode of the documentary series A Football Life that detailed his career in the NFL and battle with ALS.

[19][20] In April 2024, Knopf released Gleason's memoir A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence.