Steve Gleason to receive Congressional Gold Medal

Steve Gleason is set to become the first NFL player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to award its highest civilian honor to the former New Orleans Saints safety, according to NFL.com. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the legislation in 2019.

Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, and has since helped spread awareness and raise money for those living with the disease through his Team Gleason Foundation.

"Through his work to help others who are disabled, Steve Gleason has changed so many lives for the better," Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy, who first introduced legislation to award Gleason the medal, said in a statement.

"As more members of Congress heard about Steve's work, the support for this bill only grew. Steve is a hero to many and I'm proud we got this done to honor a great American."