O.J. Brigance, Ravens Super Bowl Winner Who Battled ALS, Dies at 56
The former linebacker, diagnosed with ALS in 2007, spent nearly two decades inspiring the Baltimore Ravens organization as a mentor and advocate.
O.J. Brigance, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens before waging an unyielding battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has died. He was 56.
The Ravens announced Brigance's death on Monday.
"We are devastated by the awful news that we have lost O.J. Brigance," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. "O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor and man to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He was a vibrant person who became one of the first Ravens heroes with his passionate play, including the first tackle in the 2000 Super Bowl."
Brigance was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2007. He and his wife, Chanda, soon formed the Brigance Brigade Foundation, an organization dedicated to equipping, encouraging and empowering those living with ALS.
Despite using a wheelchair and a communication device, Brigance continued serving as the Ravens' senior adviser for player engagement, a role he began in 2004. He remained a source of motivation within the organization.
"Every day I walk by, not just to tell him how much I love him, but to tell him that he is the one thing that lets me not complain about anything," Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis said in 2012. "I played with that guy. His spirit is just awesome."
Brigance is the only player to win a Canadian Football League title and a Super Bowl championship for a team in the same city, Baltimore. He said his football career prepared him for the fight against ALS, citing the "fortitude, discipline and desire" the sport demands.
Born Sept. 29, 1969, in Houston, Brigance played college football at Rice before beginning his pro career with the British Columbia Lions in 1991. He later helped the Baltimore Stallions win the 1995 Grey Cup, then spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he was twice voted team captain. His lone season with the Ravens, in 2000, ended with a Super Bowl title after a 34-7 win over the New York Giants.
"I am devastated and at a loss for words. O.J. was one of the most genuine, sincere people I have ever known," Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome said.
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