The Super Bowl champion who never says ‘quit’

O.J. Brigance is a former linebacker who played for the Grey Cup–winning Baltimore Stallions (CFL) in 1995 and Super Bowl–winning Baltimore Ravens from 2000 to 2001. In 2007, he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He continues to work with the Ravens as a special adviser on player development.

The following was adapted from an interview with “TechKnow” contributor Shini Somara. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Shini Somara: Tell me about playing in the NFL.

O.J. Brigance: It was a great blessing. It was everything I dreamed it would be. I grew up watching the NFL, and to finally have my name of the back of my [Miami] Dolphins jersey confirmed for me that with God, all things are possible. It proved to me that regardless of what detractors might say about your abilities, they don’t determine your destiny. What I remember best about winning Super Bowl XXXV was the accomplishment of overcoming the various adverse circumstances that season to win it all. That was one of the many great milestone moments of my life.

SS: How did you first know something was wrong [with your health]?

OJB: While playing racquetball over the course of a few weeks in 2007, I began to notice a weakness in my right arm when swinging the racket. I spoke with the team doctors and I thought it might be something structural. We had X-rays and everything was structurally fine, but while conducting the physical, we did blood work as well. During my physical, my chest muscles were twitching, and when we got the results back, they showed an unusually high level of glutamate in my bloodstream. Dr. Tucker, one of the team doctors, told me it could be one of two things: I had lyme disease or something called ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Whatever it was, there was no doubt in my mind that it was merely a temporary condition, that I would overcome this. I overcame every other adversity that I have faced in my life.

I continued to do strengthening exercises, but nothing seemed to help. This was much different from any of my prior injuries. I finally went on the Internet to see what exactly ALS was, and as I read through the various websites the same things kept appearing: muscle weakness and twitching; muscle cramping was another symptom. I noticed chronic cramping in my arm and feet. I went from using 120-pound dumbbells to bench press to struggling to press 10 pounds. But the biggest shocker was that ALS was a fatal disease with a two- to five-year life prognosis from onset.

SS: How did you handle the news when you got your diagnosis?

OJB: It confirmed what I had long suspected. I had done some research on many of the symptoms I read about on the computer. It gave a strange sense of relief to finally know what went wrong.

SS: It’s been seven years since then. What has kept you going?

OJB: What keeps me going every day, despite my diagnosis, is the mere fact that God has allowed me to wake up and experience another day. He has work for me to do, whether it is work with the Brigance Brigade or encouraging the mighty men of the Baltimore Ravens.

SS: You still come to work several times a week.

OJB: Sure, I could have stayed home and gone into seclusion with my ALS diagnosis, but I made the decision I wouldn’t let ALS derail my destiny. Coming to work every day is about continuing in my purpose and refusing to give up. If you are isolated from human interaction, you will wither and die.

SS: You give motivational speeches to the team before Ravens games. Why is that so important to you?

OJB: It is important for me to be an encouragement to the men because it is my God-given gift to stand in the middle of my circumstance. It serves as a constant reminder to them that, no matter what life throws at us, we must press on.

My role with the team is more of a consultant now. I help the guys with various issues. I realize most often it’s sending an encouraging email to them or sharing an observation from practice. Being part of the team fulfills my competitive drive.

SS: What’s the most important message you want to give to the players?

OJB: Not to allow other people’s limitations to determine our destiny. We are all born into this world with purpose and God-given talent, to make a difference. Adversity will try to derail us from our best life, but we must use every situation as a learning opportunity to get wiser and stronger.

SS: When you listen to the players describe you, they talk about your tenacity, your strength, your will and your humor. How does that make you feel, knowing what they think about you?

OJB: I feel proud when my team acknowledges my tenacity [over] ALS. Recognition from your peers is some of the greatest one can receive. I feel I reflect the spirit of the organization. The Ravens have been a tremendous help to us. Their organization could have found a way to move me out, but they pulled me closer, and I will be forever grateful. 

SS: When you realized you were going to lose your ability to speak, what was your reaction?

OJB: I was in denial. How could I lose one of the most basic functions of daily life? I received numerous compliments on my voice and even hosted one of the team's weekly shows, called "Ravens Report." My once strong voice was reduced to a whisper and then became nonexistent.

SS: We are doing this interview through the eye tracker. What would life be like without it?

OJB: The use of my communication device has been integral to my ability to interact with the world around me. I get to experience what life would be like without the technology if I don’t have my computer in front of me. It’s extremely frustrating to not be able to communicate or express your thoughts. It is a great lesson in patience, and the technology is a blessing to my life.

SS: How frustrating for you is it to not hear your own voice?

OJB: Not being able to hear my own voice was frustrating for a while, but I have learned to be grateful and thankful that I could still communicate through the use of technology. It is comforting to still hear my voice on phone message on occasion, but since my diagnosis I have learned that there is peace in Jesus Christ letting me handle anything that can come my way. I have learned to appreciate people in my life and not take them for granted. Time is too precious to worry about the frivolities of life. We must take advantage of every moment regardless of circumstances.

SS: Are there words and phrases that you wish you could say and hear in your own voice?

OJB: I think the one regret that I have is not voice banking. I didn’t fully realize the importance of hearing your own words in your own voice. Voice banking is one of the first things I recommend to those newly diagnosed.

To learn more about O.J. Brigance and voice message banking technology, watch "TechKnow," Saturday 7ET/4PT.