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O.J. Brigance To Celebrate Hitting 10-Year Mark With ALS

By Joe Schiller

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXV ring to commemorate the Baltimore Ravens 34-7 victory over the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on January 28, 2001 at the NFL Experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; General view of Super Bowl XXXV ring to commemorate the Baltimore Ravens 34-7 victory over the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on January 28, 2001 at the NFL Experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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O.J. Brigance will hit a very important milestone tomorrow

We here at Ebony Bird not only focus on just football activities for the Baltimore Ravens, but everything that has to do with the organization. One of the great Ravens hit a major milestone today. O.J. Brigance was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclorosis, or more commonly known as ALS on May 16th, 2007. This disease currently has not cure. Brigance has beaten the odds and is now 10 years and going strong from the disease. According to an article from WFSB.com, he will hold a celebration tomorrow.

To put this mark in to perspective, only 10% of those who are diagnosed with the disease make it past 10 years. This feat shows the find of person that O.J. is and all that he has meant to the Baltimore Ravens organization. If you do not know O.J.’s story then you definitely need to check it out. ESPN did a great feature on him that you can find here on Youtube. 

Brigance only played one season with the Ravens, but he made a major impact. He was a leader on the special teams unit during the 2000 season. Before starting a career in the NFL he also played football in Baltimore. It was for the Baltimore Stallions, a Canadian Football League team based out of Baltimore. He won the Grey Cup with them during the 1995 season.

An important piece of the Ravens organization

Being diagnosed with ALS is nothing short but life changing, but that has not stopped O.J. from leaving his mark. He currently works for the Baltimore Ravens and has done so since 2004. His role is the Senior Advisor to Player Engagement. The Baltimore Ravens website gives details on what he does.

"Works closely with director of player engagement Harry Swayne to assist all Ravens players with each phase of their careers…Has made significant contributions to the Ravens’ player development program, including organizing a number of player internships in high school football programs, financial institutions and real estate groups…The life skills programs O.J. has provided to the players each year have been highly effective"

Next: Baltimore Ravens: How the experts predict the 2017 season

If what O.J. has done can’t motivate you, I don’t know what will. He is an inspiration to all, not just those apart of the Ravens organization. It is a truly remarkable feat on what he has been able to accomplish.

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