Steve Gleason’s blocked punt is the image everybody remembers from the Saints’ return to the Superdome on Sept. 25, 2006. But the man who actually scored on the play was Curtis DeLoatch - and by his own account, he wasn’t even supposed to be out there.
That detail surfaced in an ESPN oral history of the game, where DeLoatch recalled that New Orleans found itself one player short on the punt rush as Atlanta lined up for its first punt. The Saints were in the middle of their emotional homecoming after Hurricane Katrina, and suddenly they needed someone to fill the gap.
DeLoatch said there were only 10 Saints on the field, and someone else was meant to be part of the unit. Then, as he stood near the Saints’ special teams coach, he got the simplest possible instruction: Go.
He sprinted onto the field at the last second and ended up in the middle of one of the most famous moments in franchise history.
Gleason burst through Atlanta’s protection untouched and got a hand on punter Michael Koenen’s kick. DeLoatch said he hesitated briefly after the snap, then heard the block. When he looked up, the ball was sitting in front of him in the end zone.
He recovered it for a touchdown, putting New Orleans up 7-0 and igniting the Superdome crowd.
The Saints beat the Falcons 23-3 that night.
Gleason’s block went on to become the lasting symbol of the moment, eventually inspiring the “Rebirth” statue outside the Superdome. DeLoatch’s touchdown became one of the game’s great footnotes - a reminder that sometimes the biggest plays start with simply being in the right spot at the right time. He was a reserve defensive back and special teams player who spent parts of three seasons with the Saints.
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