O.J. Simpson, who won the Heisman Trophy for USC in 1968, and who was famously involved in the trial of the century, has passed away at age 76. Simpson had a roller-coaster ride of a life, receiving both popular acclaim and notorious ill repute.
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
O.J. Simpson Achieved Greatness on the Gridiron
Simpson’s accomplishments on the football field were many.
Simpson, who was born in San Francisco, CA, in 1947, was a standout football player for both the USC Trojans and the Buffalo Bills. He also had a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers at the tail end of his professional career.
He was nicknamed “The Juice,” and, when he was running on the football field, announcers would often excitedly proclaim, “The Juice is on the loose.”
USC Trojans
Simpson played two seasons for the Trojans — 1967 and 1968. He played under legendary coach John McKay. Simpson led the nation in rushing in both of those seasons. He finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1967 and won the award in 1968.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills made Simpson the first selection in the 1969 AFL/NFL Common Draft.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame describes Simpson’s accomplishments with the Buffalo Bills:
“In 1973, Simpson ran for 2,003 yards, getting the final 200 on 34 carries on a blustery, season-ending day at Shea Stadium against the New York Jets. He broke Jim Brown’s single-season rushing record (1,863 yards) that had stood for a decade, and his 143.1 rushing yards per game that season remains the highest mark in league history.
“He was named the league MVP by all of the top media outlets…
“Simpson ran for more than 1,000 yards each of the next three seasons, leading the league two more times. His 7,699 rushing yards during that five-year span (1972-76) led the NFL by some distance, with no other player coming within 2,500 yards.”
He was named first-team All-Pro every year during those five years, and he was voted the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1973.
San Francisco 49ers
Simpson played the 1978 and 1979 seasons with the 49ers. His performance in the Bay Area fell off from that of his heyday with the Bills.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
In 1985, Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Media and Acting Career
After his playing career, O.J. Simpson became a popular and successful sports commentator and actor.
Sports Broadcasting
From 1983 through 1985, Simpson was a commentator on Monday Night Football.
As reported by Barrons, “He had a short-lived career as a sports broadcaster before setting his sights on Hollywood.”
Hollywood
Barrons summarizes some of the highlights of Simpson’s acting career:
“He appeared in several successful films including ‘The Towering Inferno,’ ‘The Naked Gun’ series and ‘Capricorn One’ but never really achieved A-list stardom.
“He did, however, strike it big with corporate America and he proceeded to cash in with advertisements for Royal Crown Cola, Schick, Foster Grant, TreeSweet orange juice, and Wilson Sporting Goods.
“He became best known, however, for iconic Hertz rental car ads in which ‘The Juice’ — his football nickname — sprinted through a crowded airport in a three-piece suit.”
However, things came crashing down for Simpson thereafter.
Infamy — The Trial of the 20th Century
On June 12, 1994, Simpson’s former wife, Nicole Brown-Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally killed outside Brown-Simpson’s condominium in Brentwood, CA. Simpson turned himself into authorities five days later, after the notorious slow-speed Bronco chase involving Simpson and friend/teammate Al Cowlings.
His apprehension set the stage for the trial of the century. In a lengthy case that featured drama and racial overtones, Simpson was acquitted, despite strongly held beliefs among certain sectors of society that he had killed his former wife and her friend. The nine-month-long trial “which has been the subject of several television shows, books, and documentaries — riveted the nation and much of the world.” Famously, the trial “featured Simpson at one point struggling to try on a pair of gloves found at the crime scene which apparently didn’t fit.”
Despite Simpson’s acquittal in the criminal case, he was found liable in a civil wrongful death action. He was ordered by the court to pay $33.5 million to the families of the victims.
More Infamy — Botched Robbery / Memorabilia-Recovery Fiasco
Several years later, Simpson found himself entangled with the law again.
“He was arrested in Las Vegas in 2007 and charged with armed robbery, assault, and kidnapping after a confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers.
“Simpson claimed he was just trying to get back mementos from his sports career which the dealers had allegedly taken from him.
“This time, [however, a] jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to serve between nine and 33 years behind bars.
“He [was released from] prison in October 2017 and [remained] largely out of sight, though he engaged with fans on social media.
“His story was turned into ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,’ which won multiple Emmy awards including outstanding Limited Series.”
In the end, Simpson’s story is a difficult one — involving the pinnacle of fame and fortune, followed by imprisonment and a reputation tarnished.
For more sports-related news, focused primarily on the USC Trojans, SMU Mustangs, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Rams, please follow me at @vshjah_Victor.
