On Thursday, it was announced that Steve Gleason, former safety for the New Orleans Saints, will be awarded the 2024 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS.
Since its inception in 1993, the award has been presented to exceptional individuals whose contributions go beyond the realm of sports. Those who receive the award are expected to embody the spirit of Arthur Ashe and demonstrate strength, courage, and a commitment to standing up for what they believe in, even when faced with adversity.
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For 13 years now, I have been chronicling our experience with ALS with the goal of finding a way to achieve tranquility and independence while battling extreme hardship. Recently, I was honored at The 2024 ESPYS, which is not only a privilege but also an opportunity to extend assistance to others in need. In an Instagram statement, Gleason expressed his gratitude to ESPN for this remarkable recognition.
In 2011, Gleason, who had made a name for himself as an exceptional special teams player for the Saints from 2000 to 2008, received the devastating diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
ALS, a devastating neurodegenerative disease, gradually damages nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, leading to the loss of essential functions, including speech, movement, and breathing. Sadly, the disease is terminal, and to date, there is no cure available.
After being diagnosed with ALS, Gleason and his wife Michel established the nonprofit organization Team Gleason. The organization’s primary objective is to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with ALS by offering them access to technology, equipment, and support services.
In 2018, the Steve Gleason Act was approved to guarantee the accessibility of life-saving communication equipment, such as eye-tracking technology. This technology permits individuals, like Gleason, to communicate solely by using their eyes.
Gleason’s advocacy work with ALS earned him the highest honor awarded to civilians, the Congressional Gold Medal, making him the first football player to receive this prestigious award in 2020.
On the field, Gleason was recognized as a special teams captain and the top performer in blocked punts for the Saints. He is best known for his remarkable blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons during the Saints’ first game back after Hurricane Katrina caused the Superdome to close in 2006. This moment was so significant that a statue was erected on the Superdome concourse in 2014 to commemorate it.
In 2016, the Sundance Film Festival screened a documentary chronicling Gleason’s life, titled “Gleason.” Additionally, he released his memoir, “A Life Impossible,” co-written with Jeff Duncan, in April.
On Thursday, it was revealed that Dawn Staley, the head coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team, will be honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Additionally, the Pat Tillman Award for Service will be bestowed upon Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex.
Tune in to ABC on Thursday, July 11 at 8 p.m. ET to catch the live broadcast of the 2024 ESPYS, which will be hosted by none other than Serena Williams herself.
