O.J. Brigance is a former linebacker who played for the 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.
We met Brigance as part of a story about voice message banking, in which people with ALS or other degenerative conditions record words, phrases and sounds before losing their ability to speak. The sound files are then loaded into a computer program that can be controlled by touch or even an eye-tracker.
This week, the Baltimore Ravens joined the viral #icebucketchallenge campaign to raise awareness and money for ALS research, with their head coach, general manager and many players joining in. Brigance taped an important reminder to everyone participating:
Raising awareness about ALS hits home for the Ravens, as former player O.J. Brigance is currently battling the disease. Brigance is currently the team’s Senior Advisor to Player Development, and he released a statement Wednesday, urging people to donate for the cause.
“The viral support the #ALSIceBucketChallenge has grown an unprecendted support and awareness for the ALS community. We all have to thank Peter Frates for coming up with the challenge to make ALS a relevant topic. This has been a fun way to get the world talking about ALS.
“However, I want to challenge everybody to not only talk, or just accept the Ice Bucket Challenge, but to give. Please go to my website: BriganceBrigrade.org to make a donation to help us fight ALS. Keep the ice buckets dumping, everybody!”
TechKnow executive producer Roland Woerner also stepped up for the challenge:
For more from our episode, go here.
