03-17-2008, 12:12 AM
I know there was a thread last week regarding OJ's diagnosis with ALS and his recently receiving the NFL's Johnny Unitas Tops in Courage Award for the way he is battling the disease. So you don't have to search, please read the article in the Baltimore Sun here
For those of you that don't know OJ--- in addition to being one of the greatest players to ever wear a Rice uniform, as an individual he is also the type of person we should all aspire to be. He was the leader of our teams when he was here at Rice and a role model for his teammates then and now.
OJ has never met a challenge that he did not attack and conquer: He played center at Willowridge HS at 5'11" and 210 pounds--and made All-State. He successfully made the transition to LB at Rice and went on to make All-SWC and set the school record for tackles (he was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003). When no NFL teams showed a serious interest, he went north to the CFL and ended up as a multiple year All-Star and won a Grey Cup in 1995. He finally did make it in the NFL and ended up having a 7-year NFL career and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. In every one of those instances OJ overcame great obstacles to win. He is the epitome of a winner.
I spoke to him today and he is excited and has great enthusiasm for this new challenge (for those of you that know OJ this is no surprise). He is determined to overcome his next great obstacle- ALS. OJ believes that he is going to beat this disease- and I for one know better than to doubt him.
As the article states, he has created the Brigance Brigade to create awareness about the disease and also to raise funds for research.
I would like to keep this board updated with ways to be a part of Brigance's Brigade, because I believe that there are many here in the Parliament that would like the opportunity to help and to be a part of OJ's team.
If you would like to contribute right now, you can provide a donation for an upcoming fundraiser for which OJ is the Honorary Chair. The Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins is having their Fiesta 5k and Fun Run on May 3rd. They have a website, here, and it is very easy to make a charitable contribution. We have created a Rice team, aptly and creatively named Brigance Brigade- Rice Team. Click on the 'join a team' button and follow the instructions. Anything you can do is appreciated.
I will provide updates on future fundraisers/ activities for Brigance's Brigade.
MH
For those of you that don't know OJ--- in addition to being one of the greatest players to ever wear a Rice uniform, as an individual he is also the type of person we should all aspire to be. He was the leader of our teams when he was here at Rice and a role model for his teammates then and now.
OJ has never met a challenge that he did not attack and conquer: He played center at Willowridge HS at 5'11" and 210 pounds--and made All-State. He successfully made the transition to LB at Rice and went on to make All-SWC and set the school record for tackles (he was inducted into the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003). When no NFL teams showed a serious interest, he went north to the CFL and ended up as a multiple year All-Star and won a Grey Cup in 1995. He finally did make it in the NFL and ended up having a 7-year NFL career and winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. In every one of those instances OJ overcame great obstacles to win. He is the epitome of a winner.
I spoke to him today and he is excited and has great enthusiasm for this new challenge (for those of you that know OJ this is no surprise). He is determined to overcome his next great obstacle- ALS. OJ believes that he is going to beat this disease- and I for one know better than to doubt him.
As the article states, he has created the Brigance Brigade to create awareness about the disease and also to raise funds for research.
I would like to keep this board updated with ways to be a part of Brigance's Brigade, because I believe that there are many here in the Parliament that would like the opportunity to help and to be a part of OJ's team.
If you would like to contribute right now, you can provide a donation for an upcoming fundraiser for which OJ is the Honorary Chair. The Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins is having their Fiesta 5k and Fun Run on May 3rd. They have a website, here, and it is very easy to make a charitable contribution. We have created a Rice team, aptly and creatively named Brigance Brigade- Rice Team. Click on the 'join a team' button and follow the instructions. Anything you can do is appreciated.
I will provide updates on future fundraisers/ activities for Brigance's Brigade.
MH
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