2008 was a memorable year for the Ravens on so many levels. From the unexpected run to the AFC Championship game to the encouraging play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, the season brought much joy and excitement to the fans of Baltimore.
But beyond any accomplishment on the field, the most impressive achievement was the courage and inspiration of Director of Player Development O.J. Brigance. The former Baltimore Stallion and Raven continues to influence young players and show us all what it means to be a man.
This past week, ESPNโs Outside the Lines featured Briganceโs remarkable story. Itโs difficult to see how ALS has stricken the Super Bowl and Grey Cup championโs body, but it has not affected his mind or, more importantly, his soul. His story is one of perseverance, faith, and purpose.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeDauc4fb70[/youtube]
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Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Podcast Audio Vault
Right Now in Baltimore
When the truth sets on The Sun as real journalism wanes in Baltimore
Local writer and journalist Baynard Woods discusses his lengthy story in Rolling Stone on the demise of real "news" in The Baltimore Sun and the Fox 45 journalism agenda moves to print and behind a paywall at the hands ofโฆ
Dear Steve Bisciotti: Are you Tuckered out on that zero-tolerance policy?
Methinks weโre kinda getting to the point where weโll soon hear from โyour peopleโ in a two-sentence press release on the team website about the future of the kicking department of the Baltimore Ravens. Probably after lunch on Friday, theโฆ
That's "Sir" Digital Williams now as a courtside legend enters Coppin Hall of Fame
He's been a visitor many times over three decades and now we can call him "Hall of Famer" Gary Williams. He's the "other" Gary Williams of Beltway Boxing "aka" Digital, who was inducted into the Coppin State Hall of Fameโฆ