"My mom lost her battle" - Lindsey Vonn lauds former NFL player Steve Gleason for inspiring people dealing with ALS

Former Winter Olympian Lindsey Vonn expressed her gratitude to Steve Gleason, an ex-American football player dealing with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), for inspiring others. She also made a mention of her late mother, who lost her life battling the condition.

Steve Gleason has had a long history with American football, beginning his career with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent and later joining the New Orleans Saints, where he played for eight seasons from 2000 to 2008. Football fans still remember him for his iconic block against Atlanta Falcons punter Michael Koenen in 2006 at the Louisiana Superdome, which had reopened after the infamous Katrina hurricane devastation at the Caesars' facility.

Gleason declared his retirement from the sport in 2008, but soon after, the 47-year-old defensive back was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in 2011. ALS is a condition that affects the nervous system, causing muscle weakness and ultimately impacting the physical functions of those affected.

Gleason, with the help of his wife, founded Team Gleason the same year of his diagnosis to help people dealing with the condition and enable them to lead meaningful lives. In recognition of his efforts for the betterment of those with ALS, Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday, July 11.

His recognition and efforts were appreciated by many, including three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn, who lost her mother to ALS in August 2022. The skier took to her Instagram and shared an ESPN post covering Gleason's journey. She wrote:

"My mom lost her battle with ALS but you have given so many people hope Steve, thank you Keep fighting."

Lindsey Vonn shares about her life after losing her mother to ALS

Lindsey Vonn's mother Linda Krohn was diagnosed with ALS in July 2021 and after battling the condition for more than a year, she passed away in August 2022. Vonn shared the news of her passing away in an Instagram post on August 28, 2022.

In an interview this year in June, Vonn shared how her mother's demise has given her a new outlook on life and made her realize that living life to the fullest is equally necessary as other priorities.

"It’s only when you see how quickly things slip away that you realize anything can happen at any moment. I now use every opportunity that I have to live my life to the fullest." She told Elle magazine

She added that she now cherishes every moment and embraces life to its fullest and that she views herself as lucky in her new perspective on life.

About the author

Abhishek is a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda, armed with an Engineering background. As a reporter, he approaches each piece with a rigorous dedication to research, relying only on credible sources to ensure his readers receive reliable and valuable content.

To stay updated with the latest developments in the arena, he harnesses the power of social media and keeps a keen eye on Google trends and news as the approach not only keeps him informed but also enables him to uncover unique angles for his stories. Having covered prestigious events like the 2023 World Athletics Championships and the Swimming World Cup, Abhishek brings firsthand insights and expertise to his reporting.

Inspired by the legendary Usain Bolt, he is passionate towards track and field and admires not only the athlete's remarkable achievements but also his unwavering humility on and off the track.

Being an enthusiast, Abhishek looks forward to cricket becoming a part of the Olympics in 2028. During his time off work, he indulges in sketching and gaming.

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Edited by Pritha Ghosh