Ravens Announce Death of Former Super Bowl Champion

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect

Ravens Announce Death of Former Super Bowl Champion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Yagya Bhargava | Last updated Aug 17, 2026 6:12 PM ET

O.J. Brigance carved out an NFL career that few undrafted players ever manage, spending more than a decade across the CFL and NFL on the strength of his football intelligence and determination.

That path eventually led him to the Baltimore Ravens, where he later moved into the front office and helped the franchise win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 as director of player development.

Brigance’s toughest fight, though, came away from the field. He was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in May 2007. The disease is a fatal motor neuron condition, and Brigance spent years raising awareness for it while pushing for better treatment options.

Baltimore Ravens former player O.J. Brigance (right) attends attend Super Bowl XLVII.John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

He went on to found the Brigance Brigade Foundation to support ALS research and help those living with the disease, work that earned him the NCAA Inspiration Award in 2016, shared with another recipient that year.

On Monday, the Ravens announced that Brigance had died following his long battle with ALS. The organization remembered him as a beloved member of the franchise, recalling both his football career and the strength he carried through his illness.

With profound sadness, we mourn the passing of our beloved O.J. Brigance following his extraordinary and heroic battle with ALS. pic.twitter.com/5aegvRX2Fy
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 17, 2026

Brigance entered the league in 1996 after signing with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent following his run in the CFL. Over four seasons in Miami, he built a reputation as a trusted locker room leader and special teams standout, appearing in 60 games and recording a career-high 28 special teams tackles in 1997.

His teammates voted him a captain twice. His most productive stretch came after he joined the Ravens in 2000, where he became a key special teams contributor and reserve linebacker on one of the greatest defenses in league history.

He finished second on the team with 25 special teams tackles in the regular season, then led Baltimore with 10 more in the playoffs. He also made the first tackle of Super Bowl 35, a moment that helped set the tone in the Ravens’ 34-7 win over the New York Giants.

Brigance went on to spend the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the St. Louis Rams, appearing in Super Bowl XXXVI, and later had a brief stint with the New England Patriots before retiring.

Across seven NFL seasons, he played in 98 regular-season games, finishing with 42 defensive tackles, 33 of them solo, one postseason sack, two fumble recoveries and more than 100 special teams tackles.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: