As a WSU student athlete from 1995 to 1999, Gleason was a four-year letter winner in both football and baseball. He also earned academic honors in management information systems and entrepreneurship.

On the football field, Gleason was a two-time captain, earned All-Pac-10 honors three times, and finished his career with the ninth-most tackles in school history. He was a key member of the defense that helped lead WSU to the 1997 Rose Bowl for the first time in 67 years. Steve was a 3 year starter in center field for the Washington State baseball team. He captained the Cougar baseball team as a senior. Steve set a school record for triples.

Steve played as a safety with the New Orleans Saints. Originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000, he played for the Saints through the 2007 season. Gleason is especially well known for his blocked punt in a 2006 game that became a symbol of recovery in New Orleans in the team's first home game after Hurricane Katrina. After spending 8 years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Steve retired and made New Orleans his home.

In 2011, Steve was diagnosed with ALS. ALS is considered a terminal disease, that causes muscles to atrophy and die.

Steve and his wife Michel started a charitable foundation, Team Gleason. Team Gleason provides the resources for people with ALS to live purposeful and productive lives.