Steve Gleason has become the first former NFL player to receive a Congressional Gold Medal -- the highest honor that Congress can bestow on a civilian.

Gleason was recognized for his crusading work as an advocate for people with ALS.

The former special teams standout and his foundation were the driving force behind The Steve Gleason Act, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015 to make critical technology available to patients through Medicare and Medicaid.