O.J. Brigance died Monday, August 17, 2026, at the age of 56. He lived 19 years after doctors diagnosed him with ALS in 2007 and told him he had two to five years.
Brigance holds a spot no other player shares. He is the only player to win a Grey Cup and a Super Bowl for the same city.
CFL Career
Brigance was born in Houston, Texas. He spent five seasons in the CFL with the B.C. Lions and Baltimore Stallions.
He won the Grey Cup in 1995, his final CFL season, with the Baltimore Stallions. That team remains the only American-based club to win the Grey Cup.
Brigance played 90 regular-season CFL games. His CFL stats:
322 defensive tackles
53 special teams tackles
35 sacks
9 fumble recoveries
2 interceptions
The six-foot, 236-pound linebacker played both sides of the border. Jamie Taras, a former teammate and the Lions’ current director of community partnerships, spoke about him in a statement.
“As great of a player as O.J. Brigance was, he was an even better individual,” Taras said. “He had such a positive energy about him, no matter the day or the circumstance. O.J. was someone that everybody rallied around. He had that kind of presence about him and was a terrific teammate who was loved by everybody in the organization. Our thoughts are with his wife Chanda and their entire family at this difficult time.”
NFL Career
Brigance spent seven seasons in the NFL. He played for the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, St. Louis Rams, and New England Patriots.
He won Super Bowl XXXV with the Ravens after the 2000 season. He made the first tackle of that Super Bowl.
Brigance played 98 regular-season NFL games. His NFL stats:
42 total tackles
3 forced fumbles
2 fumble recoveries
He retired after the 2002 season.
Work With the Ravens
The Ravens hired Brigance as director of player development in 2004. He held that role until his death. He won the Best Overall Player Development Program award in 2005 and 2006.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti spoke about him in a statement.
“We are devastated by the awful news that we have lost O.J. Brigance. O.J. was a beloved legend, mentor and man to everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He was a vibrant person who became one of the first Ravens heroes with his passionate play, including the first tackle in the 2000 Super Bowl,” Bisciotti said.
“This is a tremendously sad day for Baltimore. O.J. will be remembered for his service to our community, to the Ravens and to the fight to find a cure for ALS.”
ALS Diagnosis and the Brigance Brigade Foundation
Doctors diagnosed Brigance with ALS in 2007. He and his wife, Chanda, founded the Brigance Brigade Foundation. The nonprofit raises money and awareness for ALS. It has raised millions of dollars for ALS research.
Brigance lived with the disease for 19 years. He kept his role with the Ravens through that time.