Ravens Star Dies 19 Years After ALS Diagnosis

OJ Brigance lived nearly two decades past a grim diagnosis—and became one of the Baltimore Ravens' defining figures in the process. The former linebacker and longtime player engagement adviser died Monday at 56, 19 years after being diagnosed with ALS, reports USA Today. Brigance, who helped Baltimore win its first Super Bowl in 2001, was widely seen as an inspiration within the team's organization as he continued working in a motorized wheelchair and later communicated using eye-tracking technology, per ESPN.

Head coach John Harbaugh often called him "the strongest man in the organization," and Ravens greats echoed that. Ray Lewis told Brigance, "You're my greatest motivation," after the team's 2013 AFC title win, and Ed Reed credited him in his Hall of Fame speech as a major influence on his career. Brigance is believed to be the only player to win a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup for the same city, having captured the CFL title with the Baltimore Stallions in 1995. With his wife, Chanda, he started the Brigance Brigade Foundation, which has raised millions for people living with ALS.