June 19, 2017

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

A 13-foot tall statue stands in front of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans that depicts Steve Gleason blocking a punt, a play that became a part of Saints lore and symbolic of the city's resilience in the face of disaster.

On Sept. 25, 2006, Gleason blocked the ball into the end zone for a Saints touchdown, the night the rebuilt Superdome and the city of New Orleans hosted a National Football League game for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

In early 2011 at age 34, Gleason, a former Washington State University defensive back who retired from the NFL in 2008, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The terminal condition causes gradual paralysis.

The statue, entitled "Rebirth," was unveiled on July 27, 2012. It shows Gleason outstretched in a dive, his hands smothering the ball as it leaves the kicker's foot.

Also fully depicted in the sculpture was then-Atlanta Falcons' punter Michael Koenen (pronounced KAY-nen), who played collegiately at Western Washington University, just 10 miles from his hometown of Ferndale, Wash.

When Koenen heard of the event, he tweeted: "Awesome day for an inspirational man ... God bless you in your fight partner!! Half of me likes your statue (smiling face emoticon)."

Two years later, Koenen had his own health issues and suffered through two major illnesses that ended his 10-year career as one of the top punters and kickoff specialists in the NFL.

Koenen lost 44 pounds from his average weight of nearly 200 when he played for Tampa Bay from 2011 to 2014 and Atlanta from 2005 to 2010.

He became ill in 2014, posting a career-low in gross punting average and having his touchback percentage on kickoffs take a sharp decline. Koenen believes the cause was from consuming tainted sports water, having received a recall notice for the product because of the possibility it was contaminated with mold and yeast spores. In 2016, he was afflicted with clostridium difficile, a potentially fatal colon bacteria.

With two seasons left on a six-year, $19.5 million contract he signed in 2011, Koenen was released by Tampa Bay. During his decade in the NFL, he averaged 42.7 yards per punt with 31,964 yards on 748 attempts.

Koenen's health improved when he met with a Seattle-area gastroenterologist who prescribed a treatment plan that helped him rid excessive bacteria from his body. While not yet completely healthy, Koenen believes that he is finally headed in the right direction.

Koenen, 34, entered the NFL in 2005 as an undrafted college free agent from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II WWU. After signing a contract on Apr. 24, 2005, he spent six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before inking a free agent contract with Tampa Bay in 2011 that made him one of the highest-paid punters in NFL history. His long kickoffs also contributed to the high salary.

Koenen at WWU

Koenen finished his WWU career (2001 to 2004) as the school's most prolific kicker and punter, topping the record books in almost every major kicking category.

Originally, Koenen planned on attending NCAA Division I Eastern Washington University as a walk-on. But then he met WWU assistant Terry Todd, who coached the kickers and happened to be the father of Koenen's pastor, Rick Todd.

"He is a great guy," said Koenen of Terry Todd, a member of WWU's Athletics Hall of Fame. "He builds confidence in you. He helps with staying positive and focused. I wouldn't be the same kicker without him."

Koenen redshirted his first season at WWU. When he debuted in 2001, it did not take long to show what he could do. In his first game, he kicked a school-record 54-yard field goal against the University of Central Oklahoma. The next year, he set another school standard with a 73-yard punt.

Koenen was not your typical kicker. He was abnormally athletic for the position, didn't mind trying to make tackles and could just as often be seen throwing the ball on the sideline as kicking it.

Koenen completed his four years of eligibility at WWU as one of the most decorated kickers in Northwest small college history. He finished as the Northwest small college, Great Northwest Athletic Conference and school record holder in kick scoring with 272 points. He also set school records for made PATs (143), kickoffs for touchbacks (73), punting average (43.1) and yards punted (8,228), while being second in PAT attempts (150) and third in both field goals made (43) and attempted (74).

Koenen was named WWU Male Athlete of the Year for 2004-05, following an outstanding senior season.

That year, Koenen was a second-team Daktronics, Inc., third-team Don Hansen's Football Gazette and D2football.com honorable mention All-America choice as a punter as well as D2football.com and Northwest Region Special Teams Player of the Year.

He set school and GNAC season records for PAT (40-41, .976) and field goal (12-17, .706) percentage, while ranking No.3 nationally (43.5) in punting average and No.11 in field goals per game (1.20).

As a sophomore in 2002, Koenen led the nation in punting with a 44.9 average. That season, he was a first-team Daktronics, D2football.com and Football GazetteAll-American and second-team Associated Press Little America selection as a punter. He was also Football Gazette Specialist of the Year.

"He was always a great talent, but he also worked very hard," said Terry Todd of Koenen. "Kicking and punting are two completely different skills ... And he stayed positive. He knows the next opportunity is right around the corner. You have to be able to do that as a kicker."

"And the biggest thing is consistency. It doesn't make a difference if you have a great leg and aren't consistent, either kicking or punting. There's no question he had great talent and it was something we never took for granted."

On to the NFL

By being able to handle punting, field goal and kickoff duties, Koenen made himself potentially more valuable to a professional team. Most NFL teams had one player on the roster for each of those duties.

In April, following his senior season at WWU, Koenen attended the Professional Kicking Services Camp in Arizona run by kicking guru Ray Pelfrey.

Following that, Koenen awaited the NFL draft.

"I know that it probably won't happen, but I'll be watching and holding my breath during the last few rounds anyway," he said in a Bellingham Herald interview prior to the event. "After that I'll be watching my phone, waiting for that call."

"I just want to get a shot and keep playing. The NFL is where I want to be, but if it means I have to go to the Canadian Football League, the Arena League or NFL Europe first, then that's where I'll go."

Although not drafted, Koenen did receive a call from a number of NFL teams.

On the advice of his agent, Koenen signed a two-year free agent offer from Atlanta with a signing bonus. Two of the determining factors were the Falcons playing their home games in the Georgia Dome, and that they were coming off winning the NFC South and reaching the NFC Championship Game.

But Koenen would have to beat out eight-year veteran punter Todd Gowin, who Atlanta had signed as a free agent after averaging 38.2 yards per punt the previous season with the New York Jets.

Koenen outperformed Gowin during the preseason and on Sept. 12, 2005, Koenen played in his first NFL regular-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The contest was televised on Monday Night Football.

In the Falcons' Oct. 9, 2005, game against New England, they had the ball on New England's 41-yard line with six seconds remaining in the first half. Since regular placekicker Todd Peterson's range was insufficient to attempt a field goal from that distance, Falcons head coach Jim Mora turned to Koenen, who was handling the team's punting and kickoff duties.

Keonen actually attempted the kick, the first field goal try of his pro career, twice. Prior to the initial snap, Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel called a timeout. Koenen heard the referee's whistle but still kicked the field goal. It landed right of the goalpost. A few moments later, Koenen attempted the kick again, and this time made an official 58-yard field goal. It was the longest field goal of Koenen's career at any level, tied for ninth-longest in NFL history (as well as the longest during the 2005 season) and was the third-longest in history by an undrafted kicker.

In Atlanta's first preseason game of 2006, Koenen made four field goals, from 53, 50, 40 and 45 yards. He was slated to do the placekicking, punting and kickoff duties for the Falcons, something that was rarely done in the NFL by one player. However, he converted only two of his first eight field goal attempts of the regular season, and Morten Andersen was brought in to take over the field goal duties.

Koenen's kicking career began at FHS

Koenen was a first-team Washington Prep Football Report Class 3 All-State pick as a senior at Ferndale High School. He helped the Golden Eagles to a 12-1 record, the Northwest League title and the semifinals of the state playoffs, connecting on 29-of-31 point after touchdown tries and 3-of-5 field goals. He booted a school-record 47-yard field goal in a 17-14 win over Anacortes.

Koenen started and lettered three years each at FHS in football, basketball and soccer. He was twice a first-team all-league choice in football, and twice a second-team pick in basketball as well as being a second-team pick and team MVP in soccer as a senior.

Koenen's first love as a child was soccer, and his mother discouraged him from playing football until the eighth grade. But then he switched to football "because my friends gave me a hard time."

Wife Devin also standout athlete at Western

Koenen's wife, Devin (formerly Dykstra), also was an athlete at WWU, earning two letters each in basketball and softball. She split time between shortstop and the outfield on the softball diamond and was a guard on the basketball court.

Devin averaged nearly 7.0 points per game in basketball, once connecting on 25 consecutive free throws, two short of the school record, and earning all-tourney recognition for her play at the WWU Lynda Goodrich Classic.

While growing up in Sumas, Wash., located next to the Canadian border, Devin lettered four years in three sports at Nooksack Valley High School. She was a first-team Class 2A all-State selection in basketball, finishing with 1,150 career points, and was a three-time, first-team all-league choice in basketball, soccer and softball.

Koenen and Dykstra were married on July 14, 2006. They have five children.

WWU players in NFL

Koenen played 10 years in the NFL, the longest stretch by any WWU player who competed his entire career at the school.

Only six other former Vikings have seen NFL regular-season action. They are:

Will Davis (Spokane, Wash./Central Valley) -- Cornerback who was a redshirt at WWU in 2007, the last year that the school had a football program. He transferred to De Anza College (Calif.) and then attended Utah State University. He played four seasons in the NFL, two each with the Miami Dolphins (2013, 2014) and Baltimore Ravens (2015, 2016).

Dane Looker (Puyallup,Wash.) -- Wide receiver who played two seasons of basketball at WWU from 1994 to 1996 before transferring to the University of Washington to compete in football. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams (2001-2008), making 112 receptions for 1,224 yards and five touchdowns.

Erik Norgard (Bellevue, Wash.) -- Offensive lineman who played as a freshman in 1985 at WWU, then transferred to the University of Colorado. He went on to play 10 years in the NFL, nine for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers (1990-1998) and one with the New York Jets (1999).

Matt Overton(Tracy, Calif.) -- Long snapper, who is currently a free agent after four seasons in the NFL, all with the Indianapolis Colts (2013-16). He was signed twice by the Seattle Seahawks, but never was on their regular-season roster. He played years at WWU from 2004 to 2006 after transferring from Diablo Valley JC (Calif.).

Ken Sager (Goldendale, Wash.) -- Tight end for WWU (1982-1985) who played in three games in 1987 for the Seattle Seahawks as a replacement player when the NFL Players Association went on strike. Records of replacement players are not official.

Erik Totten (Maple Valley, Wash./Tahoma) -- Defensive back who played in one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers near the end of the 2002 season following a four-year career at WWU from 1998 to 2001.

Another tie to WWU for Gleason

A video journal that began as a series of "video diaries" to introduce himself to his unborn son in his own voice expanded to chronicle Gleason's determination to get his relationships in order, build a foundation to provide other ALS patients with purpose, and adapt to his declining physical condition by utilizing medical technologies that offer the means to live as fully as possible.

WWU alumnus Ty Minton-Small, who graduated in 2011, was a cinematographer for the critically acclaimed documentary "Gleason" an emotionally powerful film about five years in the life of Steve Gleason.

The documentary follows the everyday challenges and triumphs of Gleason and his wife, Michele Rae Varisco -- as well as Gleason's advice to his little boy on how to live a great life.

The film, which screened at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, was highly regarded by critics. "Gleason" was on a list of 15 that were up for nomination for a 2017 Academy Award, and the National Board of Review called the full-length documentary feature one of the year's five best.

Filming "Gleason" was "a giant experience in my life," Minton-Small says. He hoped the finished product "gives people an opportunity to examine their own lives, how they're spending their time, and their own relationships -- particularly father-son relationships," he says. "I hope people come away from the film valuing those things as much as they should."

Minton-Small was living in Mount Vernon after graduating with a degree in English literature in 2011 when he responded to a Craigslist ad seeking a cinematographer. He quickly became involved in "Gleason" both professionally and personally, and moved to New Orleans to start filming; his first day of shooting was to record the birth of Varisco and Gleason's son, Rivers, on Oct. 19, 2011. In time, Minton-Small became much more than a cinematographer, but a friend, caregiver and part of the couple's support network. "They're more than friends," Minton-Small says. "They're family."

The Blocked Punt

Over a decade later, Koenen still vividly recalls what happened on the punt blocked by Gleason.

"Gleason got through the middle untouched and I hurried," Koenen told Sporting News in a telephone interview. "I actually didn't see him beforehand because I don't pay that much attention to the rush. But the next thing I know he blocked it.

"I usually try to spin around and get the ball when that happens but they scooped and scored. It happened so fast."

Koenen also recalled the rush of noise that followed when Saints cornerback Curtis Deloatch recovered the ball for a touchdown, the first score in what became a 23-3 rout.

"It was unreal," Koenen said. "I never experienced a stadium that loud before. The energy was crazy."

Koenen is looking forward to someday taking his family to see the "Rebirth" statue in person.

"I think the whole thing is cool. You always want to be on the good end of something. But at least I can say I have a statue."

MK9

Michael Koenen wore No.9 as the punter and kick off man for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He formed the Michael Koenen Foundation in 2010 as a way to give back to his hometown community through football. The Michael Koenen NFL All-Star Kids Football Camp is a free annual summer camp intended to help youth in the Washington State counties of Whatcom, Skagit and Island learn the fundamentals of football in a safe, healthy and fun environment. The Foundation provides children in grades three through eight the opportunity to learn not only about football, but the importance of staying in school and the potential for success through consistently positive life choices.

Western placekickers

The Vikings had a history of talented placekickers in football. On the school's all-time list are two-time All-American Wade Gebers, football and soccer All-American Peter LaBarge, as well as conference all-stars Josh Bailey, Dan Clemensen, Jon Christie and Lance Wilson. Koenen was the fifth consecutive WWU placekicker to kick for four years.

The Statue

The larger-than-life bronze statue, entitled "Rebirth," is a tribute to both the reopening of the iconic domed stadium just over one year removed from the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the career and lifetime accomplishments of Gleason.

"This statue is symbolic of the rebirth of our city, our region, our home, our team," said Saints' Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson, who commissioned the piece. "It reminds us of a cherished night and one of the most amazing plays in the proud history of this franchise. It will be here for everyone to view coming into, out of or past the Superdome to see and rekindle the feelings we shared that evening. This statue will be an everlasting tribute to the spirit of the `Rebirth' legacy and what it stands for and of Steve's lasting impact on the lives he has helped touch and inspire."

The statue was created by nationally-acclaimed sculptor Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in Toms River, N.J. The bronze statues of Gleason and Koenen weigh 800 pounds each and stand seven-and-a-half feet tall and are mounted on granite stanchions that measure 10 feet long by four feet wide by six feet tall. Altogether, the statue on the base stands 13 feet tall.

The image was adapted from photos and video displayed before a nationally televised audience at the 13:35 mark of the first quarter. New Orleans Times-Picayune photographer Michael DeMocker took a photo of Gleason's successful diving attempt to block the punt that has appeared with world-wide circulation and is prominently displayed in both the Saints Hall of Fame and in the Saints' Indoor Practice Facility in Metairie, Louisiana.

The Saints chose that image because it was a metaphor for everything Gleason has accomplished in his career and his life -- eluding defenders, overcoming obstacles and staring challenges in the face.

By Paul Madison who served 48 years as sports information director at WWU from 1966 to 2015