LOS ANGELES, CA – O.J. Simpson, a notorious figure in American football and a central character in one of the most publicized trials in U.S. history, succumbed to cancer at the age of 76, his family disclosed.
Simpson’s journey to prominence began on the gridiron. In 1967, he dazzled as a leading college running back at the University of Southern California, topping all other college running backs in his debut season. His athletic brilliance won him the coveted Heisman Trophy in 1968. Simpson’s football career continued to shine with the Buffalo Bills, where he was the first draft pick in 1969. He retired a decade later with an impressive 11,236 rushing yards, placing him second in NFL history at the time. His achievements were recognized with an induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
However, Simpson’s life took a dramatic and dark turn in 1994 when his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally killed outside her Los Angeles residence. Simpson, who had been married to Nicole and had two children with her before their divorce in 1992, quickly became the prime suspect.
The subsequent trial, dubbed the “trial of the century,” was a media circus. Simpson’s televised car chase, following a police order to surrender, was one of the most-watched TV moments of the decade. The trial concluded on October 3, 1995, with Simpson being acquitted of two counts of murder, despite the infamous glove evidence.
In 1996, a civil trial found Simpson liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman. The bereaved families were awarded $33.5 million in damages, most of which remained unpaid.
In 2007, Simpson was again in legal trouble when he confronted two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room, claiming the memorabilia they intended to sell was his. He was found guilty of 12 felonies, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and sentenced to 33 years in prison. He served nine years before being paroled in 2017.
Simpson’s life came to an end on Wednesday, April 10, after a protracted battle with cancer. His family confirmed his death and asked for privacy.