Not all celebrations are happy, with the 2024 ESPY Awards being the most compelling case. On Thursday night, Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, a moment that moved everyone to tears.

The former New Orleans Saints standout was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS, in 2011. For 13 years, he has transformed his fight against ALS into a powerful narrative. Accompanied by his little son, Rivers, on stage, his heartfelt speech triggered a wave of emotions that swept up fans worldwide. As fans poured in their support, Gleason stood as a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless others. 

Former Saints QB Drew Brees did the honors of presenting the award to Gleason. The two were teammates in New Orleans between 2006 and 2007. The Arthur Ashe Award is considered among the most prestigious at the ESPYs and is handed over to people “whose contributions transcend sports.” Gleason yet again caught the limelight in a room filled with some of the most gifted athletes, who were the only people who could no longer walk, speak, blink his eyes, or breathe on their own. 

Yet Gleason was singled out as the most courageous of them all as tears rolled down his eyes when his son took the prize on his behalf. His willingness and courage to stand up for their beliefs in the face of adversity inspired fans. Since Gleason lost his vocal ability, Brees did the honors by reading the transcript. A part of this came up with an insightful tip on life, “To be courageous, we must first experience loneliness, unworthiness or any of the faces of fear. I was told I’d have three years to live when I was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, so I’ve got the wilderness of fear tattooed all over me.” His inability to convey feelings in such a proud moment left fans emotionally wrecked. 

Gleason’s impactful speech brings fans together in unity

Deeply moved by Gleason’s speech, fans took to the comment section to pour in their support. The simple gesture from his son that highlighted mutual resilience and deep bond touched a fan who commented, “The hand on Steve’s shoulder really got to me.” Doctors gave him three years; now that he crossed a decade fighting ALS, a fan wished for a remedy, “Steve Gleason has lived with it for so long now. It’s a miracle. I wish there was a cure.” “This is special fr” a fan, another chimed in. As much as this achievement is amazing for Gleason, it’s special for his fandom. 

Another fan’s comment mirrored the collective pain of those who recognized the gravity of his battle. “I just Can’t.  It just hurts!” Finally, one fan summed up the evening with a simple yet powerful declaration, “Best moment.” 

However, ALS could not stop him from pursuing his dreams. Earlier this year, Gleason published his memoir, A Life Impossible, co-written with Jeff Duncan. The memoir has been nominated for a Northwest Passages event on August 4. In 2020, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his advocacy for ALS. Determined to make a difference, Gleason, with his wife Michel, founded Team Gleason, a nonprofit committed to aiding those affected by ALS.