Steve Gleason, a beloved figure for the Saints, didn’t hold back during a recent appearance on “The Manningcast” with quarterback Peyton Manning.
This came during the Falcons’ 45-24 win over the Saints, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Superdome’s reopening after Hurricane Katrina.
Near the end of the third quarter, as the Falcons led 31-10, Gleason took center stage after Manning played a clip of himself attempting a few punts.
Gleason, widely remembered for his memorable blocked punt against the Falcons’ Michael Koenen during a deeply emotional game in 2006, joked about what would happen if he faced off against Manning again.
“Peyton, unfortunately for both of us, long before I hit the ball, I [would] hit your forehead,” he remarked, drawing laughter.
Drew Brees, another recently inducted Hall of Fame quarterback, also joined in on the fun that night.
“Peyton, unfortunately for both of us, long before I hit the ball, I [would] hit your forehead.”
Steve Gleason had jokes on the ManningCast 🤣— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 6, 2026
As the game unfolded, there was an undeniable energy in the Superdome. Yet, it quickly turned somber as Atlanta dominated the field with remarkable performances from running backs Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr.
Bijan rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a stunning 65-yard run on the opening drive. Meanwhile, Brian added 62 rushing yards and a personal record of three rushing touchdowns in a single game.
The Falcons’ five rushing touchdowns marked their highest single-game total since 2010. Additionally, they surpassed 200 rushing yards in consecutive games for the first time in over a decade.
Despite the enthusiastic crowd, the Saints faced another disappointing home defeat, dropping to 1-3 for the season. This loss marked a troubling trend, having lost 13 of their last 19 games played at the Superdome.
