Saints legend Steve Gleason receives special honor from ESPN

New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason continues to amaze everyone who knows his story.

Saints legend Steve Gleason recognized by 2024 ESPYS

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 further help and serve others. Thank you, ESPN, for this incredible accolade. -- Steve Gleason via social media

Gleason will receive the 2024 Arthur Ashe Courage Award

The award is given to individuals "whose contributions transcend sports." Recipients of the award are intended to reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe and possess strength, courage and willingness to stand up for their beliefs in the face of adversity.

Gleason was a fan favorite and special teams star for the Saints from 2000 to 2008. The veteran was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2011. There is no known cure for ALS.

Gleason and his wife, Michel, founded their nonprofit organization, Team Gleason, following his ALS diagnosis. The organization's mission is to improve life for others living with ALS by providing technology, equipment and support services.

The Steve Gleason Act was passed in 2018 to ensure the availability of life-sustaining communication devices such as eye-tracking technology that allows individuals like Gleason to communicate using only their eyes.

In 2020, Gleason became the first football player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor awarded to civilians, for advocacy work with ALS. -- ESPN

Saints fans have often come together to celebrate Gleason's accomplishments after his diagnosis. He has given so much in order to help others who have been diagnosed with ALS.

This latest honor is yet another deserved award for the former Saints player.

The 2024 ESPYS will air live Thursday, July 11, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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