Steve Gleason Wins 2022 NCAA Inspiration Award
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New Orleans Saints legend is recognized for his use of technology to live a meaningful life.
Jan 21, 2022 at 09:43 AM
New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason is receiving the Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in Washington, D.C. We asked photographer Ted Jackson to spend Monday, Dec. 16 with Steve and his family as they went about a normal day, capped off by attending the Saints' game against the Colts in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
1 / 68 Steve Gleason gets a warm hug from his 8-year-old son, Rivers during recess at Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
2 / 68 Occupational therapist Jenni Doiron gets Steve Gleason ready for his day.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
3 / 68 Framed by his elevated foot rests, Steve Gleason watches as occupational therapist Jenni Doiron helps him get ready for his day.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
4 / 68 Steve Gleason watches as occupational therapist Jenni Doiron gets him ready for his day.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
5 / 68 Occupational therapist Jenni Doiron gets Steve Gleason ready for his day.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
6 / 68 Occupational therapist Jenni Doiron drives Steve Gleason to Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
7 / 68 Steve Gleason talks with the children during lunch at Stuart Hall School. Through his computer, Steve said the lunch duty "was one of his most rewarding activities." Steve's 8-year-old son, Rivers, attends there.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
8 / 68 Steve Gleason talks with the children during lunch at Stuart Hall School. Through his computer, Steve said the lunch duty "was one of his most rewarding activities." Steve's 8-year-old son, Rivers, attends there.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
9 / 68 Steve Gleason talks with the children during lunch at Stuart Hall School. Through his computer, Steve said the lunch duty "was one of his most rewarding activities." Steve's 8-year-old son, Rivers, attends there.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
10 / 68 Steve Gleason talks with the children during lunch at Stuart Hall School. Through his computer, Steve said the lunch duty "was one of his most rewarding activities." Steve's 8-year-old son, Rivers, attends there.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
11 / 68 Occupational therapist Jenni Doiron helps Steve Gleason maneuver the campus of Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
12 / 68 Steve Gleason watches his 8-year-old son, Rivers play football with his friends during recess at Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
13 / 68 Steve Gleason watches his 8-year-old son, Rivers play football with his friends during recess at Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
14 / 68 Steve Gleason watches his 8-year-old son, Rivers play football with his friends during recess at Stuart Hall School.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
15 / 68 Upon arriving home, Steve Gleason is greeted by his wife Michel and their 14-month-old daughter Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
16 / 68 Upon arriving home, Steve Gleason is greeted by his wife Michel and their 14-month-old daughter Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
17 / 68 Michel Gleason and 14-month-old Gray play in the driveway doorway as Steve rests in the background.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
18 / 68 14-month-old Gray Gleason occupies herself with self discovery as Steve rests in the background.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
19 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
20 / 68 Michel Gleason and caretaker Kyle Olasin take care of business while Gray entertains herself on the floor with Steve's equipment.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
21 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
22 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
23 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
24 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
25 / 68 While Michel Gleason gets dressed, Steve entertains Gray with a buckled-in joy ride around the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
26 / 68 Michel Gleason helps Steve clean up while he entertains Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
27 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin drives Steve Gleason to Stuart Hall School to pick up Rivers.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
28 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin drives Steve Gleason to Stuart Hall School to pick up Rivers.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
29 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin drives Steve Gleason to Stuart Hall School to pick up Rivers.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
30 / 68 Rivers (and Steve) Gleason shout out a greeting as caretaker Kyle Olasin drives them past the Stuart Hall crossing guard, a daily ritual that leaves everyone smiling.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
31 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin helps Steve Gleason out of the van as Rivers heads into the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
32 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin helps Steve Gleason out of the van as Rivers heads into the house.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
33 / 68 Steve Gleason works on his computer while Michel and Rivers share a private moment.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
34 / 68 Rivers Gleason rests his hand on his father's hand as they talk about his day at school.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
35 / 68 Michel Gleason shows off Rivers' schoolwork to Steve.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
36 / 68 Rivers poses a question as Michel and Steve Gleason work on their computers in the afternoon as Gray naps.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
37 / 68 Steve Gleason works on his computer while Michel helps Rivers with his homework.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
38 / 68 Michel Gleason reads the mail to Steve as Rivers works on his homework.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
39 / 68 Steve Gleason rests in his room in the late afternoon before preparing for the evening outing, a Monday Night Football game with the Saints.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
40 / 68 Steve Gleason rests in his room in the late afternoon before preparing for the evening outing, a Monday Night Football game with the Saints.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
41 / 68 Steve Gleason rests in his room in the late afternoon before preparing for the evening outing, a Monday Night Football game with the Saints.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
42 / 68 Steve Gleason heads out alone to the garden for a short afternoon nap.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
43 / 68 Steve Gleason naps in the garden outside his home.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
44 / 68 Rivers Gleason flexes his muscles in his favorite T-shirt as he dresses for the big Monday Night Football game with the Saints.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
45 / 68 Steve Gleason smiles as he arrives at the Superdome for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
46 / 68 Helped by his caretaker Kyle Olasin, Steve Gleason passes by adoring fans as he arrives at the Superdome for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
47 / 68 Rivers and Michel Gleason look on as caretaker Kyle Olasin helps Steve on the sidelines at the Superdome for pre-game activities for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
48 / 68 Rivers Gleason plays catch with a family friend while Steve watches on the pre-game sideline.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
49 / 68 Steve Gleason maneuvers the pre-game sidelines for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
50 / 68 Steve and Michel Gleason pose with their children, 8-year-old Rivers and 14-month-old Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
51 / 68 Steve and Michel Gleason maneuver the pre-game sideline with their children, 8-year-old Rivers and 14-month-old Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
52 / 68 Steve and Michel Gleason maneuver the pre-game sideline with their children, 8-year-old Rivers and 14-month-old Gray.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
53 / 68 Steve maneuvers the pre-game sidelines for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
54 / 68 Steve worms his way into a group photo with alumni from the Saints Super Bowl team during pre-game of the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
55 / 68 Through his computer software, Steve Gleason chats with alumni from the Saints Super Bowl team on the sidelines prior to the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
56 / 68 14-month-old Gray works on a snack as Steve and Michel Gleason maneuver the pre-game sidelines for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
57 / 68 Michel Gleason helps Gray get settled in her dad's lap as Steve maneuvers the pre-game sidelines for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
58 / 68 Steve ignores all the greetings and well-wishers around him for a few minutes on the sidelines as he calibrates his computer after arriving at the Superdome for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
59 / 68 With cheers of support from fans and "Sign Man" Larry Rolling, Rivers and Steve maneuver the pre-game sidelines for the Saints' Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
60 / 68 Steve parks his wheelchair outside the Saints locker room to cheer on Thomas Morstead (6) and the rest of the players as they emerge fore their Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
61 / 68 Steve parks his wheelchair outside the Saints locker room to cheer on Sean Payton and the rest of the team as they emerge fore their Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
62 / 68 Steve parks his wheelchair outside the Saints locker room to cheer on Drew Brees and the rest of the team as they emerge for their Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
63 / 68 Rivers Gleason watches the Saints players emerge from the locker room as he rests against his father's lap.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
64 / 68 Steve and Michel Gleason enjoy the Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with their children Gray and Rivers.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
65 / 68 Steve, Michel, Gray and Rivers Gleason enjoy the Saints Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
66 / 68 Steve Gleason and friends celebrate Drew Brees' record-breaking touchdown during the Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
67 / 68 Steve Gleason slips out early from the Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with their children Gray and Rivers
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints
68 / 68 Caretaker Kyle Olasin helps Steve Gleason load up after the Monday Night Football matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
Ted Jackson/New Orleans Saints Advertising This Ad will close in 3Steve Gleason is the latest recipient of the NCAA Inspiration Award, an honor given to former college athletes that inspire people through their life and work. Gleason, who was a dual-sport athlete at Washington State, is receiving the award because he uses technology to inspire people and live a meaningful life.
Since being diagnosed with ALS, the New Orleans Saints legend has used his platform to spread hope and awareness about his disease. He has become a global leader in fund raising for the disease through his Team Gleason organization as well as by encouraging others to give what they can to one day find a cure for ALS.
Ashley Amoss/New Orleans Saints Related Links
- New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason honored by Chicago Cubs, MLB on Lou Gehrig Day
- Lessons we can learn from Steve Gleason, Hoda Kotb
- New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal
- Photos: Steve Gleason with the New Orleans Saints
- A Day in the Life: Steve Gleason
- Flashback: Steve Gleason's block in return to Dome
- Steve Gleason receives 2018 Dave Dixon Leadership Award
- New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason receives Congressional Gold Medal
- Steve Gleason accepts Congressional Gold Medal
- 'A Football Life: Steve Gleason'- Team Gleason climbs Machu Picchu
- 'A Football Life: Steve Gleason' - No white flags
- 'A Football Life: Steve Gleason'- The road to Machu Picchu
- 'A Football Life: Steve Gleason'- A family comes together
This is just the latest honor Gleason has received. In January 2020, he was the first former NFL player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
Read the full NCAA story on Gleason here
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