Steve Gleason was recognized at the ESPYs on Thursday night as the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, and he was introduced to the audience and viewers at home by another New Orleans Saints legend: Drew Brees.
Brees and Gleason were only teammates for two years in 2006 and 2007, but they’ve remained close over the many years since, and it’s clear he thinks the world of No. 37. Brees spoke about Gleason’s impact on the iconic “Rebirth” game after Hurricane Katrina, his character, and the struggle he has experiencing in the face of a debilitating illness.
“When I think about Steve as a teammate, and a friend, I think of a guy who has always taken the idea of living to the next level,” Brees said. “Steve has always been interested in having a deeper conversation, going on a bigger adventure, finding ways to experience the wonders of the world in every possible way. Always curious to explore both the seen and the unseen of human emotion and connection. Experiencing plenty of fear along the way but never shying away. From challenging himself and those around him.”
Gleason was joined onstage by his son Rivers, at which he point he shared a speech of his own. While he has lost his voice and the use of his limbs to ALS, Gleason is able to communicate with text-to-speech software that allows him to write with his eyes, and he used this opportunity to reflect on what courage means, and how the support of those around him have allowed him to outlive a fatal diagnosis by more than a decade. His words were powerful, but we’ll let Gleason speak for himself. Take some time to watch it:
Steve Gleason honored at the ESPYs with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, introduced by Drew Brees pic.twitter.com/4YAJ1ZcgZk
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) July 12, 2024
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