The Ravens are mourning the loss of the legendary O.J. Brigance, who heroically battled ALS for 19 years.
Brigance, 56, was in many ways the heartbeat of the organization, a courageous and inspiring leader who kept coming to work despite his physical limitations.
Brigance had a profound impact throughout the Ravens organization, providing guidance and perspective to players, coaches, and personnel.
A Houston native, Brigance originally landed in Baltimore with the Canadian Football League's Stallions and helped the team win the 1995 Grey Cup championship. Years later, he was a linebacker and special teams standout on the Ravens' Super Bowl-winning team in 2000. Brigance set the tone with the first tackle of Super Bowl XXXV.
His seven-year NFL career ended following the 2002 season, but he returned to the Ravens in a personnel role in player engagement. Brigance was recognized many times by the NFL, earning the Best Overall Player Development Program award for two straight years (2005-06).
Following his ALS diagnosis in 2007, he and his wife, Chanda, established the Brigance Brigade Foundation, a nonprofit that has raised money and awareness for the fight against ALS. The foundation has worked to improve the quality of life for people living with ALS and their families by providing access to support services, needed equipment and resource guidance.
Numerous Ravens personnel, both past and present, provided tributes to Brigance: