Porter said basketball was his first love but his height (5 feet 11) helped push him into football.
His interception with 18 seconds remaining in regulation in the 2009 NFC Championship Game in the Superdome preserved a 28-28 tie with Minnesota and allowed the Saints to kick a game-winning field goal in overtime, and his interception and 74-yard return for a touchdown sealed a 31-17 victory over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
"I remember just before the interception happened (in the NFC Championship Game), we're calling the play, we're looking up and some of the fans are starting leave because time is winding down, they think they're going to come in and kick a field goal and the Vikings are going to go to the Super Bowl," Porter said, smiling. "But lo and behold, (Vikings quarterback) Brett (Favre) tries to throw across his body, the rest is history.
"I remember hearing that everyone that left the Dome was trying to turn around and come back in once we were going to overtime."
Daniels, a three-time Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year, passed away in the summer of 2024 at 67. He suffered a heart attack while in Los Angeles, preparing to cover Saints training camp in Irvine, Cal.
"Ed loved the Saints," said Robin Daniels, his wife. "He loved the Saints so much that he has never missed a training camp. And (in 2024), he was told they were going to send a photographer, 'You have to stay home and take care of things that are here.'
"Well, Ed wasn't going to have that so he took his vacation time and we paid for us to go to the Saints training camp. It was kind of like a mini vacation sort of thing that never happened, because (the heart attack) happened the first night that we were there.
"But that's how much the Saints meant to Ed."
Gleason already has a wall dedication in the Saints Hall of Fame, odes to his play as an ace special teamer (98 tackles, two fumble recoveries, four blocked punts in seven seasons), and his impact off the field; he was diagnosed with ALS in 2011.
Gleason has helped raise more than $100 million to benefit those battling ALS and Team Gleason, his nonprofit, has provided more than $55 million in technology, equipment, adventure and care services to people living with ALS.
He jokingly thanked the HOF committed for creating another award.
"I'm grateful for the example that the people of New Orleans for their courage and I'm happy to be here with these fellow honorees," he said via a speech-generating device that utilizes an eye-tracking system. "May we all continue to lead with love.
"Peace out, girl scouts."