Thomas Morstead is gone.
From 2009-2020, the now-Jets punter was one of the best in the NFL. He was an uncommonly steady punter at his position and was at the peak of his professional career during his 12 seasons with the Saints.
Then he suffered a back injury in 2020, his production dropped and he was eventually released by New Orleans after 12 years there. Now 34, Morstead was left wondering if it was all over and never even getting an NFL tryout.
It was a career lifeline for Morstead when the Jets signed him to replace the injured Braden Mann at the start of the 2021 season, punting for seven games until Mann returned. When he was released, Morstead publicly thanked the Jets for giving him the opportunity to “continue to live out my dream.”
At this time, Morstead found some unwanted comfort and encouragement from an old friend, former Saints player Steve Gleason, who famously fought bravely for years against ALS.
Morstead met Gleason during Gleason’s rookie season and remained close, and he was quietly inspired by Gleason, without Gleason realizing it, as he faced the first real uncertainty of his NFL career.
“He’s always been a source of perspective and inspiration for me, especially when it comes to dealing with and responding to unwanted situations,” Morstead told The Washington Post. “I don’t know if I ever fully conveyed to him how grateful I am for how much he’s supported me through difficult times. I wanted to do something meaningful for him, personally.”
That’s when Morstead came up with the idea to raise money for Team Gleason, a foundation Gleason set up to raise money for a variety of causes, including ALS technology and adventures that ALS patients can enjoy.
Morstead is donating $1,000 for every punt he drops within 20 yards this season (he did 36 last year) and also raises more money by swapping jerseys with the opposing punter each week, getting the punter to sign them and selling them to bidders.
Morstead did it against Washington punter Tres Way in last week’s preseason opener, and will do it Saturday against Panthers punter Johnny Hekker, a man he called his Pro Bowl “nemesis.”
Next week, in the preseason finale against the Giants, Morstead will welcome family members suffering from ALS onto the sideline as part of a Team Gleason “adventure.”
“This is a way to encourage people to keep living,” Morstead said.
On a much smaller note, Morstead kept his NFL dreams alive after being released by the Saints and was looking for a team that would give him the opportunity to practice.
“I just looked like a retired player,” he recalled. “I thought I was done playing. It was really tough.”
Here, Gleason’s quiet encouragement gave Morstead strength.
“When the opportunity opened up here [with the Jets] “I think after Week 1 of the 2021 season they were going to use their old punter for a couple of weeks and give him some work, but then I played really well,” he said.
When Mann was healthy, Morstead was released and traded from Atlanta to Miami before rejoining the Jets last season and having arguably his best season, averaging 48.8 total yards per attempt, 41.7 net yards per attempt and just 36 yards inside the 20.
“He’s a great weapon,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “He was the defensive MVP last year because he was able to pin them down inside the 20-yard line and let them finish. We really believe as a defense, you’re not going to score unless you finish.”
“It was very important for us to have him back and we’re thankful to God we were able to do it,” Jets special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said.
“It’s hard to say this considering how long he’s been playing, but he’s just getting better and better,” Boyer said. “I think he’s playing the best he’s ever been. I think he’s the best-directional punter this league has ever had. I’ve really enjoyed coaching him. He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached.”
During the offseason, Morstead paid Gleason a surprise visit in New Orleans to tell him about his charity work. The visit was recorded on video. Gleason cried when Morstead told him about his plans.
One of Gleason’s most commonly worn T-shirts is from the Team Gleason collection, which is for sale on the foundation’s website, and it reads across the chest: “We are the best.”
It reads “#NeverPunt” and his initials “SG.”
Gleason was wearing the shirt when Morstead visited, and Morstead playfully took out a red marker and erased the word “never” from the shirt.
“I’ve been waiting 10 years to do this,” Morstead told Gleason. “I don’t like your shirt. If you guys hadn’t punted, I wouldn’t have had such a successful career and you wouldn’t have a statue outside the Superdome. So I’m going to change the shirt and put a nice red line on it and put my initials on it.”
Gleason was an inspiration to New Orleans long before his battle with ALS: In the Saints’ first game at the Superdome after thousands of displaced families lived inside the stadium for weeks because of Hurricane Katrina, Gleason blocked a punt for a touchdown, the first points scored since Katrina.
The play was so iconic that a statue of Gleason was erected outside the dome.
“The last three years have really been a redemption for me, and Steve has been someone I’ve depended on,” Morstead said. “I’m not someone who has a lot of bad days, but we all have our doubts and weaknesses, and when you see someone dealing with such differing interests, it just gives you perspective.”
Gleason quietly and unwittingly helped Morstead emerge from the darkness and find himself, and the Jets, and most of all Morstead, are grateful for that.
