O.J. Brigance, Ravens 'Beloved Legend,' Dies at 56 After ALS Battle
The Super Bowl XXXV champion and longtime Ravens player-engagement executive was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and fought the disease for nearly 19 years, founding a foundation to support other patients.
O.J. Brigance, who won a Super Bowl as a Ravens linebacker before spending nearly two decades as one of the organization's most respected figures, died Monday at age 56 after battling ALS since his 2007 diagnosis. He is survived by his wife, Chanda Brigance.
What did his playing career look like?
Brigance won Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens in January 2001, recording the game's first tackle on the opening kickoff against the Giants. He also won the 1995 Grey Cup with the CFL's Baltimore Stallions.
What was his role after retiring?
Brigance became a longtime adviser in player engagement for the Ravens, a role he continued in even after his ALS diagnosis at age 37, which initially carried a two-to-five-year prognosis. He communicated via eye-tracking technology in his later years and founded the Brigance Brigade Foundation to support other ALS patients.
How is he being remembered?
"O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor and man to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said. General manager Eric DeCosta said, "O.J. inspired us with humility, faithfulness, determination, competitiveness and love for humankind." Ray Lewis has previously called Brigance "my greatest motivation," and Ed Reed referenced his influence during his 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech.
Sources
- ESPN: O.J. Brigance, Ravens' 'beloved legend,' dies at 56 after ALS fight
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