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NY Jets punter Thomas Morstead launches ALS campaign in honor of Steve Gleason

Morstead has announced a campaign to raise money for ALS in honor of his close friend, Steve Gleason
Derek Praschak
Derek Praschak

The Jet Press

Thomas Morstead / Al Bello/GettyImages

NY Jets punter Thomas Morstead has been in the NFL for quite some time now. The well-traveled Morstead has been a part of four different franchises during his 15-year career.

Throughout that long journey, no experience will ever be more important or more significant than his friendship with legendary former New Orleans Saints special-teams standout Steve Gleason.

Morstead spent the first 12 seasons of his career in New Orleans, which is where he developed a friendship with Gleason. Most of you probably remember Gleason for his famous blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in the Saints' return to the Superdome post-Hurricane Katrina. It was a historic moment that is remembered as an inspiration to millions.

But Gleason became an inspiration for an even more tangible reason. He revealed in 2011 that he was battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS.

The disease that has siphoned his immune system, has done nothing to disrupt his spirit. After revealing the contraction of his disease, he developed "Team Gleason," a nonprofit that aids the ALS community via various services and funding.

And now, Morstead is stepping up to do his part. He has created a "Punt for ALS" campaign, in which he will donate $1,000 for every punt he drops inside the opponent's 20-yard line. It is hard to find a better cause to support than this one.

It isn't often that a punter is recognized for much of anything. So in an instance where one does something truly worth commending, it is only fair to applaud them. Hats off to you for making a difference Thomas Morstead. Good luck with the punts.

This year, Jets fans, you have more reason than just one to root for coffin-corner punts from Morestead, pinning opponents back behind the 20-yard line. I think all fans will be rooting for that this season.

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Derek Praschak

Derek Praschak

Derek Praschak is a third-generation Jets fan and a passionate writer. His family's fandom began upon the inception of the original New York Titans, spanning six decades. Derek's grandfather was in attendance for the 1968 AFL championship game, his father was in attendance for the Monday Night Miracle (in the first half at least), and he was in attendance for the iconic Mike White game. And most importantly, he survived the Adam Gase era. Derek also has his own Substack where he covers the NBA and the NBA draft. You can find both his SubStack profile and Twitter account at @DirkFrom3