O.J. Brigance, the Ravens champion and longtime ALS advocate, has died at 56.
Why it matters: Brigance was both part of Baltimore's first Super Bowl championship team and a prominent ALS advocate. His death is a public loss for the Ravens, the broader NFL community and families affected by ALS.
- The Ravens announced Brigance's death Monday, Aug. 18, 2026; AP reported he died in Owings Mills, Maryland, at 56.
- Brigance was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and later helped found the Brigance Brigade Foundation with his wife, Chanda.
- He was part of the Ravens' first Super Bowl championship team and made the first special-teams tackle in Super Bowl XXXV.
- NFL.com says Brigance later served as senior adviser to player engagement and remained a central figure inside the organization.
O.J. Brigance, the former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and team executive, has died after years living with ALS, according to AP. He was 56.
The Ravens said Brigance died Monday, Aug. 18, 2026. Team owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement that the organization was "devastated" by the news and called Brigance "a beloved legend, mentor and man" to those who knew him. The team has not publicly detailed a cause of death beyond his long battle with ALS.
Brigance was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. He and his wife, Chanda, later helped found the Brigance Brigade Foundation, which supports people living with ALS and their families through grants, equipment help and caregiver support.
Brigance's football career included the Ravens' first Super Bowl championship team and the first special-teams tackle in Super Bowl XXXV, according to NFL.com. NFL.com also says he later served as senior adviser to player engagement for Baltimore.
His NFL career also included time with the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots, with 98 games played overall, according to NFL.com.
By the numbers
- 56 - Brigance's age at death, according to AP and the Ravens.
- 2007 - The year Brigance was diagnosed with ALS.
- 98 - NFL games played in his career, according to NFL.com.
Yes, but: The death announcement is clear, but neither AP nor the team statement provides a detailed public cause of death beyond his long ALS diagnosis.