Transcript: Steve Gleason's acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs

The big picture: Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and given three years to live.

• But he faced down first that challenge then thousands of others, creating Team Gleason with his wife, Michel Varisco.
• The organization provides funding and resources so that other people living with ALS can maintain communication and connectivity for as long as possible.

Zoom in: Gleason called the evening "a sublime honor" in his acceptance speech, which he gave as his son, Rivers, stood at his side.

• " To be courageous, we must first experience loneliness, unworthiness or any of the faces of fear. ... I've got the wilderness of fear tattooed all over me."
• "Our human potential is boundless," he went on to say. "If we can listen, understand and help alleviate each other's suffering, then truly, all things are possible." Full transcript below.

Zoom out: Former quarterback Drew Brees presented Gleason with the award, telling Axios' Maxwell Millington prior to the ceremony that "There's not a guy who's more deserving of the award than Steve Gleason."

• "Everything about Steve is an understatement. To say, hey, this guy was one of the greatest teammates, he was one of the most loyal teammates, he has one of the strongest work ethics, he was one of the most courageous — it's an understatement to say that," Brees continued.
• "He's somebody that's done so much for ALS and for others to improve their quality of life — it's an understatement. Everything that he does, it's to the fullest. And he doesn't stop until he gets the job done."

Watch or read Steve Gleason's ESPY Award speech

"This award, the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, is a sublime honor for me, and I always love the opportunity to wear my tuxedo. Arthur Ashe exemplified courage as living with an open heart, of humility, kindness and generosity, which united humanity.

So to receive this award is amazing. When I learned I was receiving this award, I started reflecting on what that word courage means. To be courageous, we must first experience loneliness, unworthiness or any of the faces of fear. I was told I would have three years to live when I was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 so I've got the wilderness of fear tattooed all over me.

"For me, this honor represents some encouragement and triumph for the families currently living with ALS, all the people living with disabilities or other illnesses, and all of you who experience fear or suffering. I suppose if you have never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your sanctified ass right out of here.

"The truth is, no human is immune from fear or adversity, not even super athletes, royal princes or the most holy Saints. Considering this truth of our humanity, it's vital that we all, individually and collectively, discover ways to be courageous and love the life we have.

"My view is that the fears and adversities we encounter are our opportunity to accept what is and explore what is on the other side of fear, to grow stronger, better and then peace of mind from this perspective, resiliently moving through the adversities life brings us, is our purpose in being human.

"It's clear to me that our ability to courageously share our vulnerabilities with each other is our greatest strength. By doing this, we're able to understand the issue compassionately, collaborate with each other to solve problems and overcome fear.

"Without the understanding and compassionate support from my family, community and caregivers, I'd have been dead years ago. Through this lens, you can see, we're all in this together. We are all citizens of the world. Given our interconnectedness, the greatest aspect of our purpose is to generously, help, serve and love others.

"Do we have the courage to unconditionally love our neighbors, our so called enemies, and love ourselves?

"I don't think anyone will disagree that we face enormous challenges in the 21st century, if we can courageously share our fears and limitations with each other and compassionately collaborate to solve problems.

"Our human potential is boundless. If we can listen, understand and help alleviate each other's suffering, then truly, all things are possible.

"Thank you again. for this incredible honor. I love y'all."