O.J. Simpson, a former NFL running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer, his family announced. Simpson was known for his successful football career, as well as his roles as a movie star, TV pitchman, and sports commentator. He was also famously acquitted in the double murder trial of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995, in a trial that captivated the nation.
Simpson began his football career in 1967 at the University of Southern California, where he led all college running backs in rushing in his first season and won the Heisman Trophy the following year. He then went on to play for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, retiring after a decade with the second-most rushing yards in NFL history at the time. In 1985, Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the sport.
In 1994, Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were found stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home. Simpson, who had divorced Nicole in 1992, became the primary suspect in the murders. The infamous car chase that followed, in which Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings led police on a 90-minute pursuit through Los Angeles, was watched by millions of people and interrupted even the NBA Finals. The trial that ensued became known as the “trial of the century” and ended in Simpson’s acquittal for the murders.
Despite being acquitted in the criminal trial, Simpson was found responsible for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in a subsequent civil trial, and the families were awarded $33.5 million in damages. In 2008, Simpson was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of felonies related to a confrontation with sports-memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison but was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years.
Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, after succumbing to his battle with cancer. His family confirmed his death in a statement, noting that he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the time of his passing. They requested privacy and grace during this difficult time. Simpson’s life, legacy, and legal battles continue to be a topic of interest and discussion for many, as he remains a polarizing figure due to his controversial past and high-profile trials.
