Former NFL player Scott Fujita is one of the producers of Gleason, a documentary on Steve Gleason, who has myotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Fujita and Gleason became good friends when they played for the New Orleans Saints. Fujita shares how one of his uncles lost his life to ALS and was aware of the challenges the disease posed to families.

Gleason is not just about creating awareness on ALS points out Fujita in our interview. It also shows how Gleason’s family led by his wife Michele Varisco is involved in the 24/7 caretaking efforts of Gleason. The film also underscores the relationship between father and son adds Fujita.

In 2011 Gleason was diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Instead of shying away from the diagnosis Gleason and his wife Varisco adopted a pro-active approach. One of the first things that Gleason did was to start producing video diaries for his then unborn son. Those videos became the basis of this poignant, touching and brave documentary that shows how Gleason, his wife and their family worked to find solutions for their everyday existence. This doucmentary makes you both cry and laugh and gives you an inkling of what it is to live with ALS.

LISTEN: SCOTT FUJITA ON GLEASON’S DOCUMENTARY

We spoke with Fujita about the film, and his friendship with Gleason, whom he first saw doing yoga in New Orleans during their exercise session. While Fujita and his team mates were lifting weights, a long-haired Gleason was doing yoga. He knew right then that Gleason and he would become good friends shares Fujita. A couple of years ago Fujita along with Gleason and his family trekked to Machu Pichu in Peru. And Fujita famously signed a one day contract with New Orleans Saints and announced his retirement from Machu Pichu.

Fujita is part of  Team Gleason ,whose mission is to provide technological solutions for ALS patients and to create awareness around the disease.

Gleason is releasing on July 27, 2017 in San Francisco Bay area.