If you’ve ever been in a room with former NFL champion O.J. Brigance, you will realize that you are in the presence of a truly unique and brave individual. O.J. has been a part of two Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl wins. The first was as a player in 2000 and this past February as the team’s Senior Advisor to Player Development.
The greatest difference between the two Super Bowls is that O.J. witnessed the most recent win from his motorized wheelchair as he suffers from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a motor neuron disease. Due to his ALS, O.J. uses a DynaVox communication device that speaks his words.
In late February, O.J.’s foundation, the Brigance Brigade, held a corporate breakfast that featured Ravens Coach John Harbaugh fresh from his Super Bowl win. It was an extraordinary event as Coach Harbaugh credited O.J.’s determination and winning spirit as a critical motivator for the Ravens success.
As O.J. spoke to the room, via his DynaVox device, it was evident that O.J. is fighting with all of his heart and soul to beat ALS. More importantly is the amazing work his foundation is doing which directly impacts Maryland’s ALS community. The mission of the Brigance Brigade Foundation is to:
engage, encourage, and empower people living with ALS (PALS) to live through the provision of much needed equipment, resource guidance and support services as well as funding various research services.
How can you help? This Saturday night, the Foundation is holding a Benefit Concert featuring Baltimore’s Charm City Devils and Loving the Lie, at 8 p.m. at Baltimore Soundstage. Buy a ticket or two or four and help O.J. continue to fight ALS. Visit http://www.brigancebrigade.org for more information.
Jonathan Oleisky is President of Kalix Communications
