Former Washington State Cougars and New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason is receiving the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on Jan. 15. The Spokane native became an advocate for people struggling with Lou Gehrig’s disease after he was diagnosed with the paralyzing condition. Gleason is best known for the blocked punt in the Saints’ first game at the rebuilt Superdome after 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. The Medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress.