O. J. Brigance
American football player (1969–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orenthial James Brigance (September 29, 1969 – August 17, 2026) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rice Owls.
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Houston, Texas, U.S.
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Brigance in 2023 | |||||||
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | September 29, 1969 Houston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | August 17, 2026 (aged 56) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 236 lb (107 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Willowridge (Houston) | ||||||
| College | Rice | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1991 (undrafted) | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Football career
Brigance was born in Houston and played for the Owls at Rice University, where he was a three-year starter and is currently the all-time leader in career tackles. He graduated from Rice with a degree in managerial studies in 1992.[1]
Beginning his pro career as a linebacker in the CFL with the BC Lions in 1991, Brigance played three seasons and 54 games. His best season came in 1993, when he recorded 20 sacks and was a CFL West All-Star.[2] Brigance then played for the Baltimore Stallions for two seasons, becoming a CFL All-Star in 1995, recording seven sacks and helping his team win the Grey Cup.[2]
In 1996, Brigance was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. He was twice voted a team captain during his four seasons there and his teammates named him Ed Block Courage Award recipient in 1999. In addition, he was honored with the NFL Player Association's "Unsung Hero Award" that same season.
The next year, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens. Brigance was a key contributor to the Ravens' championship-winning team as he finished second on the team with 25 special teams tackles and led the team with 10 special teams tackles in the post-season (including the first tackle of Super Bowl XXXV). He played for St. Louis Rams in 2001 and 2002, and a final game with the New England Patriots before retiring.
He is one of several players to have won both a CFL and NFL championship, and the only player in the history of both leagues to win those championships for the same city.
During his time as a Dolphin, Brigance was involved in a number of different community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Daily Food Bank.[3]
Brigance was the director of player development for the Ravens from 2004 until his death in 2026.[4]
Personal life and death
In May 2007,[5] Brigance was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.[6] He created a foundation to assist ALS research called the Brigance Brigade Foundation.[7] For his ALS activism, Brigance was one of two recipients of the 2016 NCAA Inspiration Award, along with former Mount St. Joseph University basketball player Lauren Hill, who had pediatric cancer and died in 2015.[8]
Brigance died from complications of ALS in Baltimore on August 17, 2026, at the age of 56.[10]