O.J. Brigance: A Man of Inspiration

As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to take on the San Francisco 49ers tomorrow in Super Bowl XLVII, they’ll find their inspiration in one member of the organization you may not have heard too much about. O.J. Brigance, the Ravens’ Senior Adviser to Player Development, is currently suffering from ALS—also known as Lou Gherig’s disease—but he’s not letting the disease prevent him from making those around him into “better men.” O.J., pictured above with his wife Chanda, can no longer speak and only has movement of his eyes and lips. With the help of a specialized computer that translates his eye movements into words, O.J. is able to communicate with others and continues to work full time with the team.

According to O.J., better known to his teammates as “Juice,” “When people say I inspire them, it encourages me to continue to persevere through this light and momentary trouble. I realize that what I am enduring now is not only for my development but to also be able to help those dealing with the same issues.” Despite the daily challenges he has to overcome, O.J. still feels “…blessed to have the opportunity to serve God in this current state.” On top of his job helping players with whatever issues their dealing with, O.J. strives to help others living with ALS.  Not long after his diagnosis, he founded the Brigance Brigade to provide resources for those with ALS to purchase the expensive equipment they need.

In Coach John Harbhaugh’s words, “[O.J’s] a shining light in the building, and we all definitely are energized by that.” No matter who you want to win tomorrow’s game, we can all root for Brigance and be inspired by his determination to make a difference.

Check out Bob Glauber’s “Newsday” article on Brigance here: “O.J. Brigance inspires Ravens as he battles Lou Gherig’s disease.”