Overview

In the spirit of THE LAST LECTURE and THE BLIND SIDE this is the story of OJ Brigance, a former NFL player and senior adviser of player development for the Baltimore Ravens. When O.J. Brigance was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), he was told he probably wouldn't live to see forty. But at forty-four more than five years after his diagnosis O.J. continues to embrace each day, working hard and striving to inspire others, especially his beloved Baltimore Ravens on their remarkable run to victory at Super Bowl XLVII. And now, Brigance reflects on the difficult road since his 2007 diagnosis, including losing the use of his arms and legs, and the ability to speak. Brigance now gets around by wheelchair, communicating through a DynaVox machine mounted onto his chair. This devastating disease would crush most spirits. But not OJ. Brigance marches on, and credits both his wife and his Christian faith for supplying the strength he needs to fight his illness. And now, Brigance offers his unique life lessons through the prism of pro football, and offers an insider perspective on the Ravens and never-before-told anecdotes from the front office, locker room, and the field. Following a stellar career as an NFL linebacker, O. J. Brigance joined the Baltimore Ravens' front office. But in 2007, O.J. was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-also known as Lou Gehrig's disease-and given only three to five years to live. As a player, he'd battled hundreds of setbacks, but none prepared him for this. With faith and determination in his heart and his wife, Chanda, praying by his side, O.J. fought back against the debilitating disease, even as ALS robbed him of the ability to walk and speak. He kept working, smiling, and touching players' lives all the way to the Ravens' victory at Super Bowl XLVII in 2013-more than five years after his diagnosis. Now, O.J. shares his incredible story, offering lessons in resilience and reflecting on the team that inspired him in turn. With insights into the Ravens' dynamics from the best seat in the house, O.J. highlights their perseverance, confidence, and leadership, the best that sports can bring out in people. Full of profound revelations and anecdotes, Strength of a Champion is a celebration of the human spirit from a man who left everything on the field.

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[O. J. Brigance's] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. --President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. --Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J.'s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. --Ray Lewis, from the Foreword

[O. J. Brigance's] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. --President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. --Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J.'s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. --Ray Lewis, from the Foreword [O. J. Brigance s] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J. s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. Ray Lewis, from the Foreword

[O. J. Brigance's] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. --President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. --Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J.'s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. --Ray Lewis, from the Foreword

[O. J. Brigance's] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. --President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. --Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J.'s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. --Ray Lewis, from the Foreword -[O. J. Brigance's] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans.---President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens -O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light.---Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens -[O.J.'s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives.---Ray Lewis, from the Foreword [O. J. Brigance s] courageous fight against ALS is an inspiration to Americans. President Barack Obama at a White House Reception for the Baltimore Ravens O.J. is our greatest motivation and our greatest inspiration, and we are all blessed to be able to share in his light. Coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens [O.J. s] strength, his outlook, and his remarkable faith serve as examples of everything we should strive for in our own lives. Ray Lewis, from the Foreword

Author Information

O. J. Brigance is currently the senior adviser of player development for the Baltimore Ravens. He created the Brigance Brigade Foundation to raise awareness and funding for ALS research and patient services. Peter Schrager is the senior national writer for FOXSports.com and thesports correspondent for FOX News Channel's FOX Report Weekend. He's the coauthor of Victor Cruz's New York Times bestselling memoir, Out of the Blue.

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