Ex-Viking safety Orlando Thomas is still fighting ALS
Former Vikings All-Pro safety Orlando Thomas, who has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease for five years, has not died as has been reported, said his agent, Mark Bartelstein, who spoke to the family this evening.
“It’s not true,” Bartelstein said. “He’s still fighitng as hard as ever. I don’t know anybody to fight a disease or illness the way he has fought this. He’s continuing to fight the fight and is cheering on the Vikings every day.”
The Vikings reported Thomas’ death on their Web site this evening.
“Somebody put it on their Myspace page down in Crowley, La., and I guess the local media ran with it or something,” Bartelstein said. “You know how in today’s world once rumors start, it spreads like wildfire. You know how people communicate nowadays. But it’s totally false. He’s sick, but he’s good and and he’s fighting the battle he fights every day.”
