After the ‘ALS Ice Bucket Challenge’ has re-surfaced following a stunning revelation by former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, a fellow sufferer of the disease joined in the occasion.
Johnson, a star running back known by the nickname ‘CJ2K’ who won Offensive Player of the Year in 2009, revealed on ‘Good Morning America’ that he had been suffering from ALS – also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’ – for over a year.
In the aftermath of the revelation, the Ice Bucket Challenge made its revival after its previous viral social media campaign in 2014.
While former NFL players like Deion Sanders and Adrian Peterson dumped buckets of water over their heads, one of the most famous former football players fighting the disease also joined in.
New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason was filmed doing the challenge alongside author Brian Jeansonne – who also has ALS – while sitting outdoors.
The pair were seen sitting in wheelchairs with towels draped over their laps, and for good reason.
Steve Gleason (L) and friend Brian Jeansonne (R) did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
They both took part after former Titans running back Chris Johnson revealed his ALS diagnosis
Gleason is best known for his time with the Saints before his ALS diagnosis in 2011
Join the discussion
How has the Ice Bucket Challenge changed the way we talk about serious illnesses like ALS?
‘For those wondering, yes, we are both butt a** naked and will be able to feel this,’ Jeansonne said through a computer. ‘But do not worry, we won’t flinch.’
After the buckets were poured over their heads, the towel briefly exposed Gleason before a family member rushed over to protect his modesty.
The pair nominated others to keep the viral challenge going – including former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, current Saints starting QB Tyler Shough, former UFC champion Dustin Poirier, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, professional wrestler Rebel Brooks and John Driskell Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band.
Shough has gone on to accept the challenge on his Instagram account.
On the field, Gleason is best known for blocking a punt which led to the Saints’ first touchdown at the Superdome in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Four years after playing his final NFL snap, Gleason was diagnosed with ALS.
Since then, he has been one of the most recognizable activists for ALS awareness and helped champion the most popular edition of the Ice Bucket Challenge which raised over $220million.
