Seventy-seven years ago on Monday, Lou Gehrig delivered his farewell speech to the Yankees and Major League Baseball. That same day, former Ravens linebacker O.J. Brigance, who has been fighting the disease named for Gehrig, will honor the baseball legend by participating in the first-pitch ceremony in a game hosted by the Class A Aberdeen IronBirds.
“Lou Gehrig’s words still echo loudly the courage, humility and tenacity that he displayed on the baseball field, as well as in his fight against ALS,” Brigance said, via the Associated Press. “His ability to stand unflappable in the face of his toughest opponent ever serves as an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many others in the ALS community. I, too, am one of the most blessed men on the earth.”
Brigance, who serves as Senior Advisor to Player Engagement with the Ravens, played for the Super Bowl XXV champions, and served as an inspiration to the Super Bowl XLVII championship team three years ago.
“The ALS community has come a long way since Lou Gehrig’s speech at Yankee Stadium, but there is still so far to go, O.J.'s wife, Chandra Brigance said.
You can help the ongoing fight against ALS by supporting the Brigance Brigade Foundation.
