Jets’ Thomas Morstead overcame ‘difficult times’ with Steve Gleason’s inspiration

Thomas Morstead was lost. 

From 2009 to 2020, the now-Jets punter was one of the NFL’s best. He had rare job security for a player at his position — 12 seasons with the Saints — and was at the peak of his profession. 

Then came a back injury in 2020, a drop in production and eventually a release by New Orleans after those 12 years of service. At 34 years old, Morstead, wondering whether he was finished, couldn’t even get an NFL tryout. 

When the Jets signed him to replace an injured Braden Mann early in the 2021 season, it was a career lifeline for Morstead, who punted for them for seven games before Mann returned. Morstead publicly thanked the Jets at the time of his release for the chance “to keep living out my dream.” 

This was a time when Morstead, without even seeking it, found solace and inspiration from an old friend — former Saints player Steve Gleason, who famously has been bravely battling ALS for years. 

Morstead had gotten to know Gleason in his rookie season and remained close to him. And, while he was facing the first true uncertainty of his NFL career, Morstead found himself quietly inspired by Gleason — without Gleason even knowing it.