ATLANTA — Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saints and Washington State University Cougars defensive standout, wore an NFL referee's jersey to the Super Bowl on Sunday in an apparent reference to the controversial no-call that helped keep the Saints out of the big game.
Gleason retweeted a post from Travers Mackel, a reporter with New Orleans-based news station WDSU. Gleason can be seen with family and fellow former Saints running back Reggie Bush. He is wearing an NFL referees jersey in the photo.
Gleason played eight seasons in the NFL, all of which with the Saints. He graduated from Gonzaga Prep High School and started for four years. He also played center field for the WSU baseball team.
Gleason told the public in 2011 that he was battling ALS.
Gleason is originally from Spokane and his organization, Team Gleason, has worked to provide life-improving technology to those living with ALS. In January, WSU announced it was establishing the Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience on its Spokane campus.
The "No Yellow Flags" hashtag Gleason used in his tweet is a reference to Team Gleason's "No White Flags" motto. The phrase is used heavily on Team Gleason products, which are sold to raise money for organization. Penalty flags used in the NFL are yellow.
The Saints were on the losing end of a controversial no-call near the end of their NFC Championship match-up with the St. Louis Rams. Late in the fourth quarter of the game, with the score tied at 20, Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman hit Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis before the ball arrived.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would later admit the decision to not throw a penalty flag was a missed call. The Rams would go on to win the game and secure a spot in the Super Bowl with a 26-23 overtime win, keeping the Saints from matching up with the New England Patriots as New Orleans went for their second title.
The Super Bowl will be on CBS and can be watched on KREM 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
