India, Aug. 18 -- O.J. Brigance, a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000, died Monday at the age of 56.

He had endured a courageous 19-year battle with ALS. Brigance was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2007.

Following his diagnosis, he and his wife, Chanda, founded the Brigance Brigade Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds in the fight against ALS.

The Ravens announced his death Monday, describing Brigance as someone who "was in many ways the heartbeat of the organization, a courageous and inspiring leader who kept coming to work despite his physical limitations."

O.J. Brigance was married to Chanda Minor-Brigance. The couple first met in 1989 and tied the k...