Cooper Landry never had seen the play that was immortalized by the statue in front of Landry and his grandfather as they stood in line Monday.
So roughly two hours before kickoff, before his grandson attended his first-ever New Orleans Saints game, Frank Crawford wanted to make sure the 13-year-old understood. So the two, like many others near Gate D of the Caesars Superdome, waited in line to take a picture in front of the “Rebirth” statue — the larger-than-life bronze tribute to Steve Gleason’s famous blocked punt.
Paying respect to Gleason on this day, for this anniversary, was a must.
“When I think of football, and I think of things that have happened to this team,” said Crawford, the 89-year-old who has been a season-ticket holder for 53 years, “that moment is No. 1.”
A raucous atmosphere filled Monday’s game between the Saints and the Atlanta Falcons, one that could be felt inside and outside the Superdome. From honoring Gleason in Lafayette Square with a second line parade to fans erupting when Drew Brees appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, the 20th anniversary of the Saints' return to the Dome after Hurricane Katrina was thoroughly remembered.
But the celebration wasn’t complete without fans stopping at Gleason’s statue to appreciate the legendary moment. The pictures served as another way to ensure Gleason’s play never would be forgotten.
“It’s a moment frozen in my mind,” said David McClain, a 36-year-old Saints fan from Chalmette. “I’ll never forget it. I’ll be on my deathbed, I’ll remember. Being able to celebrate tonight being the homecoming game and have my children here with me and my family, it's one I'll hopefully never forget.”
NO.brees.adv.001.jpg
With the statue of Steve Gleason's blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the foreground, a message congratulating Drew Brees in his first round induction to the NFL Hall of Fame is projected on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (Staff Photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune)
Many of the fans who attended Monday’s game were also in the building 20 years ago. Lance St. LeBlanc, for instance, commemorated the anniversary by wearing the same jersey he wore back then: Scott Fujita’s No. 55. But this time, rather than sitting in Section 618 with his close friend, he was with his two sons and two of their best friends.
Others made trips from all over to be on hand. Lavarus Henderson and his wife flew in from Davenport, Iowa, while Nick and Amanda Graziano and their two children made the eight-hour journey via airplane from Hawaii to New Orleans.
The Grazianos’ itinerary included a trip to Gleason’s statue.
“It was definitely a priority for me,” Nick Graziano said. “My kids aren't as die-hard as I am, having grown up in Hawaii. You know, they don't quite fully understand the seriousness of the Saints and what it means to this region.
“But I think, hopefully, when they get in the Dome, they'll get it.”
Even all this time later, the impact of Gleason’s play can bring tears. Andrew Krosp started to cry as he recalled sitting on his couch and watching Gleason’s block.
“I ran outside, I opened the garage and I screamed, ‘The Saints are back!’ ” Krosp said.
The line around Gleason’s statue Monday was manageable. Crawford and Landry had to wait only five or so minutes, with Crawford noting he was prepared to wait much longer.
Some, like Justin Adams, were there with their families just to take in the scene. As they watched the poses and pictures in front of the statue, Adams spent a few minutes explaining the significance of Gleason’s block to his 17-year-old son. He explained the uncertainty of whether the Saints would stay in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, how Gleason and the Saints provided hope.
After seeing Gleason on stage in Champions Square, where the former linebacker’s second line parade ended, Adams and his family decided to walk over near Gate D.
“We (said), ‘Let’s go say hi to Steve,’ ” Adams said.