O.J. Brigance, Ravens Super Bowl champion and longtime ALS advocate, dies at 56
O.J. Brigance, a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens who became a prominent advocate for people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has died at 56.
The Ravens announced Brigance’s death Monday, mourning a player and longtime member of the organization who continued to inspire others after his football career ended.
Brigance joined the Ravens in 2000 and played a key role on special teams during the team’s championship run. He recorded a team-high 10 special-teams tackles during the postseason, including Baltimore’s 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV. He made the first tackle of the game.
After retiring from football, Brigance remained with the Ravens as senior adviser for player engagement, a position he began in 2004. Even after being diagnosed with ALS in 2007, he continued working with players and serving as a source of encouragement throughout the organization.
Brigance and his wife, Chanda, established the Brigance Brigade Foundation following his diagnosis. The organization works to support, encourage, and empower people living with ALS.
As the disease progressed, Brigance used a wheelchair and a communication device to interact with others. Despite those challenges, he remained deeply involved with the Ravens and became known for his determination and positive outlook.
Former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who played alongside Brigance, previously described him as a source of inspiration and credited his spirit with helping Lewis maintain perspective during his own career.
Brigance’s football career included championships in both the Canadian Football League and the NFL. He remains the only player to win a CFL championship and a Super Bowl with teams representing the same city.
Born Orenthial James Brigance on Sept. 29, 1969, in Houston, Brigance played college football at Rice before beginning his professional career with the British Columbia Lions in 1991. He spent three seasons with the Lions and recorded 20 sacks in 1993 before joining the Baltimore Stallions.
In 1995, his second season with the Stallions, Brigance helped Baltimore win the Grey Cup. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent in 1996 and served as a team captain twice during his four seasons there. He received the Ed Block Courage Award in 1999 and was also named the NFL Players Association’s Unsung Hero that year.
After his 2000 season with the Ravens, Brigance played for the St. Louis Rams in 2001 and 2002 before finishing his career with the New England Patriots in 2002.
Brigance often said the discipline and determination required to play professional football helped prepare him for his battle with ALS. Rather than allowing the disease to define his life, he focused on helping others facing similar challenges.
He regarded the work of the Brigance Brigade Foundation as his most meaningful achievement, saying its ability to positively affect people living with ALS meant more to him than his championship accomplishments.
Ravens officials remembered Brigance as a warm, energetic and deeply genuine person whose influence extended far beyond the football field.
His legacy with the Ravens will be remembered not only for his championship season, but also for the years he spent encouraging players and advocating for people living with ALS.
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