Longtime Baltimore football fixture O.J. Brigance is currently fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and he wants you to join the cause against this debilitating illness through his foundation, Brigance’s Brigade.
As a player, the former linebacker spent seven seasons in the NFL after a standout career in Canadian football. Brigance even won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in 2001 (fans would remember Brigance making the special teams tackle on the opening kickoff).
As a front office member, Brigance put together a stellar development system for the Ravens, even earning the award for the league’s Best Overall Player Development Program for the past two years and Most Outstanding Internship Program in 2005.
ALS is a typically-fatal illness - more commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease - that progressively shuts down nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The worst effects are seen in muscle control and movement, eventually leading to paralysis while the brain continues to function.
But even while coping with ALS, Brigance’s trademark smile and upbeat demeanor haven’t diminished around the halls of Ravens headquarters.
Brigance knows the truths about ALS but he simply refuses to give up, much like he did when he heard the word “No” from all but two NFL teams when he originally attempted to break into the league.
Even as a player that always did better than expected, he always preferred to stay in the background. Now, Brigance is seeking out the spotlight to bring more awareness to his disease.
In addition to the Brigance Brigade, O.J. has signed on as an ambassador for the Johns Hopkins University Packard Center, which researches ALS.
If you would like to help Brigance’s Brigade battle ALS, you can make a tax deductible donation online or by mailing your donation with ‘The Brigance Brigade Fund’ in the memo payable to:
Baltimore Community Foundation
2 East Read Street, 9th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-332-4171
Brigance has been an inspiration to everyone within the Ravens’ organization and many around Baltimore, so please help support this worthy cause!
“O.J. is one of the most amazing people that I’ve met,” said Ravens president Dick Cass. “When he comes into a room, he lights it up with his smile. I’ve never seen anyone face a challenge that he’s facing with such enormous courage and grace.”
