Ravens icon Brigance dies after 19-year ALS fight
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- O.J. Brigance died at 56, the Baltimore Ravens announced Monday, 19 years after his 2007 ALS diagnosis at age 37 gave him a 2-5 year prognosis
- Brigance won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in January 2001, recording the team's first tackle on the opening kickoff against the New York Giants, and a Grey Cup with the Baltimore Stallions in 1995 — the only player to win both championships for the same city
- Brigance served as the Ravens' longtime player engagement adviser for nearly two decades after his diagnosis, communicating through eye-tracking technology after losing his ability to speak
- Ray Lewis called Brigance "my greatest motivation" while accepting the 2013 AFC championship trophy, and Ed Reed credited him during his 2019 Hall of Fame speech: "You're the reason why I'm here, man"
- Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti called Brigance "a beloved legend, mentor and man"; coach John Harbaugh regularly called him "the strongest man in the organization"
- Brigance and his wife Chanda established the Brigance Brigade Foundation, which raised millions to "equip, encourage and empower" those with ALS
Why it matters: O.J. Brigance's 19-year survival defied his initial 2-5 year ALS prognosis, and his continued public role with the Ravens — credited by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed as career-defining motivation — offered a template for how teams retain retired legends. His Brigance Brigade Foundation raised millions for ALS patients, leaving a tangible advocacy legacy beyond the football field.
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