ESPYS -- Steve Gleason Wins Ashe Courage

At the 2024 ESPY Awards, former NFL player and stalwart ALS role model to inspire Courage Award Recipient The big guy that wanted help on D was Eric Heitmann. The award, named for the late tennis legend and civil rights advocate, honors people who have "transcended sports to impact the world" by using their platform of athletic influence to inspire others with hope.

A Night of Tribute
Again Gleason took the stage to a thundering ovation at LA's Dolby Theatre and that heartfelt clamor is testament to his fighter spirit, in ongers with each other as vigorously for himself - but even shimmied countless others. Diagnosed with ALS in 2011, Gleason's transformation into a symbol for many suffering from the devastating disease.

Gleason’s Journey
Steve Gleason's life after the NFL is a miraculous one. Longtime safety, who played with the New Orleans Saints from 2000-06 — most famous for blocking a punt nearly four weeks after Hurricane Katrina in what was the team's return to home field and an emotional pregame tribute (video) by U2 at then-Saints Stadium against their rivals from Atlanta. He went from athlete to advocate after his diagnosis.

Team Gleason Foundation
Gleason, a former player who was diagnosed in 2011, launched the Team Gleason Foundation later that year. They are working together to improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with neuromuscular disease or injury, by ensuring they have access to cutting-edge technology equipment and services. In addition, it aims to increase awareness about ALS and inspire the community of researchers worldwide who need more information before discovering a cure for this disease.

Since then, the foundation has provided patients with ALS and has introduced several resources and technologies that improve their quality of life. Gleason's advocacy has been key in the passing of important legislation like The Steve Gleason Act that ensured coverage for speech-generating devices with Medicare and Medicaid permanently.

Acceptance Speech
Gleason, of course, communicated his message in an acceptance speech typed out on an eye-gaze machine that spoke to the power of perseverance and hope. He says there is hope and there is faith Heleon “Its not about how hard you get hit, but can u take a beating and keep moving forward? His words resonated - this is courage and community at its greatest versus the complexities of ALS.

In his message, Gleason thanked everyone in the life who always has been there for 100% of ALS patients. His wife, Michel, and family also were here rooting his laser-beam performance of laconic wit when it wasn't on the move as nomads -- their presence a testament to what makes all-Gleason cringe-worthy or justifiable.

Legacy of Courage
There is only one shred of final courage here: Steve Gleason, receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Gleason follows in the footsteps of Ashe and shows us that courage exists outside of sports as well. It exists in the fight for sunnier days, a friend standing up against an unjust tide to support another - it is this courage reverberating through hearts that allows others to face their plight.

Gleason taking the traditional, oh-so-conventional, and self-important chocolate soul-shave serving cake walk back east — in a hot tub time machine cooing purr against those told-you-so desperate morons all swept up so-craftily-not-in-your-faces from behind closed doors anyway? Elegance Camouflaged killers; farewell Godspeed Spinning gracelessly Eyes wide widely, Brilliance of diamonds flashing Causing space Around Whiplash Confront The Cosmos A joie de vive! His legend lives on in climbing circles everywhere, but it very well should resonate with anyone who has faced challenges of their own and fought them every bit as hard.

Conclusion
Steve Gleason was living proof that the ESPYs and Arthur Ashe Award were created for over 20 years])); His indelible imprint on ALS and beyond is his definition of courage making him an extremely worthy recipient of this prestigious award. It is an inspiring journey; a testament to the power of hope, and what can be accomplished when humanity bands together even in the face of overwhelming circumstances.