One of the top running backs in his time in the NFL, Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson passed away Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The news was first reported by ESPN via Simpson’s family on social media. According to ESPN, he had succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
Simpson gained fame as a football player in college playing for USC, ultimately winning the Heisman Trophy. After being drafted number one in the 1969 American Football League draft by the Buffalo Bills, Simpson became the first running back to rush for 2,000 yards in an NFL season which at the time was 14 games.
After football, Simpson became a household name appearing in commercials, movies, and as an analyst for Monday Night Football on ABC. At the height of his fame, he starred in the Naked Gun movie trilogy.
However, most people will know Simpson for the events that occurred in 1994 when he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. The trial became an international spectacle with O.J. ultimately being exonerated of all charges in 1995. The court proceeding would be known as “The Trial of the Century” with over 95 million people tuning in to watch a cadre of defense lawyers, state prosecutors, and the judge all becoming household names.
Simpson would battle more legal issues after being sentence to 33 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping. He would be on parole in 2019 and was deemed a “completely free man” by the courts in 2021.
His family on social media mentioned that, “he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family ask that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
Until his death, O.J. claimed he wasn’t the killer and was still looking for the person or person(s) who committed the heinous act.
