WASHINGTON D.C. – Washington State legendary Hall of Famer and former NFL player Steve Gleason, a New Orleans hero for his memorable play the night the Mercedes-Benz Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina and an advocate for those diagnosed with ALS, received the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the Capitol Wednesday.
 
The recognition is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. It requires the approval of two-thirds of both the House and Senate and the signature of the president. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) filed legislation to honor Gleason last year and announced the date of the ceremony in a news release. 
 
"Steve Gleason has shown tremendous courage and resolve in the face of ALS. He has remained positive in the face of extreme adversity, inspiring all who hear his story. Steve deserves this medal, and I look forward to his presentation ceremony," Cassidy said in a statement. 
 
Gleason was diagnosed in 2011 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive nervous system disease that causes a loss of muscle control. The illness left him paralyzed, but he is still a visible figure in New Orleans, often visiting Saints games and practices, charity fundraisers and other events. He and his foundation, Team Gleason, have been global leaders in raising awareness and improving the lives of those affected by the disease. The release of Gleason, a documentary depicting his life while living with ALS, debuted in 2016 .
 
Gleason, the Washington State Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball in a Cougar uniform from 1995-99, was a four-year letterwinner in both sports. On the football field he was a two-time team captain, garnered All-Pacific 10 Conference honors three times and finished his career with 282 tackles, ninth-most in school history. He was also a key figure on defense for the 1997 squad that made WSU's first Rose Bowl appearance since 1931. As a member of the baseball team, he served as team captain his senior year and his 12 career triples were tied for third when he left.
 
He went on to play in the NFL for seven seasons (2000-07), all with the New Orleans Saints. He may be best remembered for blocking a punt that resulted in a touchdown in the Saints' first game in New Orleans in nearly 21 months, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
 
In 2016, Washington State Athletics announced the naming of the Steve Gleason Recruit Suite inside the Cougar Football Complex. The opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout's naming donation of $250,000. With his pledge, Osterhout, a 1983 graduate who is a certified financial planner in Bellevue, was presented the opportunity to name the recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex.
 
Congress has awarded the Gold Medal to 163 people, groups or institutions. George Washington received the first medal in 1776. Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole is the most recent recipient, honored in 2017.
 
Each medal is individually designed. Gleason's features him pictured in a Saints uniform, according to the news release, with images of a mountain and forest in the background to allude to his home state of Washington.