Infamous football star, actor, broadcaster, and criminal, Orenthal James Simpson passed away at age 76 on April 10th, 2024 following his battle with prostate cancer.
Simpson was born on July 9th, 1947 in California to Eunice and Jimmy Lee Simpson. He lived a troubled childhood in and out of correctional facilities for gang violence; football was his way out. He attended the City College of San Francisco before going on to lead the University of Southern California to a national championship in 1967. He was selected as a first round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills in 1969. After nine seasons with the Bills and two with the 49ers, Simpson ended his career with 11,236 rushing yards and 76 touchdowns.
After his football career, he starred in several comedy movies including the Naked Gun trilogy. In addition to acting, he produced the movies he starred in, and also spent several years as an announcer and commentator for the NFL.
Although some may remember him for his TV career, or as one of the best running backs to play the game and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame, he is remembered for an entirely different reason.
While married to his first wife Marguerite Whitley, Simpson was having an affair with Nicole Brown. He ultimately divorced his wife and married Brown in 1985. After 7 years of marriage and two children, the relationship broke down because of “irreconcilable differences“- Simpson was also found guilty of repeatedly abusing Brown.
Almost two years later, Nicole Brown and friend Ron Goldman were found dead in front of Brown’s residence on June 12th, 1994. What followed was nothing short of chaos. OJ Simpson was arrested after a highly televised police chase. He was tried for the murders in what is often referred to as “the trial of the century.” Despite numerous pieces of evidence, including the infamous gloves, the jury found him “not guilty,” and Simpson was acquitted of the murder charges.
Following the decision of the jury in criminal court, the families of Brown and Goldman sued Simpson in civil court. He was found liable for both murders, and the court ordered him to pay $33.5 million dollars to the families of the victims. Ultimately, the money was not paid in full, and a large debt is still owed. Whether Simpson committed the murders is still widely debated.
Shortly after his time in civil court, OJ Simpson was called back in front of a Las Vegas jury for charges including kidnapping and armed robbery. He was found guilty and sentenced to 33 years in prison without parole.
Simpson was released on October 1st, 2017, and he led a quiet life in Nevada until his death.
