WASHINGTON (AP) Former NFL player Steve Gleason has received the Congressional Gold Medal - the highest civilan honor bestowed by Congress - for his work as an advocate for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"This award represents the people of the United States of America and is a sublime honor for me," Gleason, who no longer can speak on his own, said through a computer-generated voice. "It represents some joy, some encouragement and some triumphs for the tens of thousands of families living with ALS and others living with disabilities or experiencing anguish, tragedy or adversity."

Gleason thanked his family for their support since his diagnosis, noting to his wife, Michel, "This is not the life we imagined and it hasn't been easy."