Former New Orleans Saints safety and legend Steve Gleason has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
ESPN revealed the news today, stating that Gleason will be honored for his courageous battle against ALS. The award recognizes individuals in the sports world who have made a significant impact beyond the field by standing up for their beliefs and inspiring others. Gleason, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, founded Team Gleason to support those affected by the disease and advocate for life-sustaining communication devices. His advocacy efforts have led to advancements in technology for ALS patients globally.
Gleason expressed his gratitude to ESPN for the recognition through a statement on social media.
Over the past 13 years, I’ve been documenting our journey with ALS. My aim has always been to see if we can discover peace and freedom with a love of Life, in the midst of extreme adversity. Being recognized at The 2024 ESPYS is not just an honor, but a powerful platform to… pic.twitter.com/gGYfuz7aJi
— Steve Gleason – “Live Impossible” (@SteveGleason) June 27, 2024
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage is a symbol of strength, courage, and advocacy in the face of adversity, inspired by the legacy of Arthur Ashe. Recipients embody these qualities and stand up for their beliefs, no matter the challenges they face.
Following his ALS diagnosis, Gleason founded the Team Gleason Foundation, which has provided extensive support and services to ALS patients and contributed to raising awareness about the disease.
In recognition of his efforts, Gleason was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal in 2019 for his contributions to ALS awareness.
Gleason also recently released his memoir, “A Life Impossible: Living with ALS: Finding Peace and Wisdom Within a Fragile Existence,” sharing his journey with the disease.
The 2024 ESPY Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on July 11th at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.