O.J. Brigance, a former NFL linebacker who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, died on Monday after nearly two decades battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of our beloved O.J. Brigance following his extraordinary and heroic battle with ALS,” the team announced.
“We are devastated by the awful news that we have lost O.J. Brigance,” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti stated in a release. “O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor and man to everyone who knew him. He was a vibrant person who became one of the first Ravens heroes with his passionate play, including the first tackle of Super Bowl 2001.”
Diagnosed with ALS at age 37 in 2007, Brigance was told he had two to five years to live. Yet he remained undeterred—constantly smiling whether navigating team facilities in a motorized wheelchair or attending games and practices. Former Ravens coach John Harbaugh frequently called him “the strongest man in the organization.”
When former middle linebacker Ray Lewis received the Lamar Hunt Trophy for AFC championship wins in 2013, he turned to Brigance and said, “You’re my greatest motivation.” Later, Hall of Famer Ed Reed credited Brigance during his 2019 induction speech: “You’re the reason why I’m here, man. You’re the reason I became a great professional.”
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta described Brigance as “the definition of what it means to live like a Raven,” noting how he inspired others with “humility, faithfulness, determination, competitiveness and love for humankind.” “We never once saw O.J. angry or frustrated by his disease,” DeCosta added. “Instead, we witnessed a hero who influenced so many through unwavering optimism and grit.”
Brigance’s journey to the NFL began in the Canadian Football League (CFL), where he played for the Baltimore Stallions and won the Grey Cup in 1995. He signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent out of Rice University in 1996, earning two-time captain honors and winning the Ed Block Courage Award and NFLPA’s Unsung Hero Award in 1999.
Brigance joined the Ravens after his Grey Cup victory, playing a pivotal role in their Super Bowl run with 10 special teams tackles against the Giants. He became the only player to win both a Grey Cup and Super Bowl in the same city. After two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, he concluded his career with the New England Patriots in 2002.
In 2004, Brigance transitioned to the Ravens’ front office as a senior adviser for player engagement—a role he continued from a wheelchair using a communication device after his ALS diagnosis in 2007. His legacy remains unparalleled: a champion who redefined resilience through sport and spirit.
