OJ Simpson dead at 76: Infamous ex-NFL great acquitted of killing wife and her friend in 90s dies after cancer diagnosis
OJ Simpson, the infamous ex-NFL star who was acquitted of killing his wife and her friend in 1994, has died at age 76.
Simpson died on Wednesday following a battle with cancer, his family announced.
ReutersOJ Simpson, who was infamously acquitted of the double murders of his wife and her friend in the internationally covered 1994 trial, has died[/caption]
BackGridNews about OJ Simpson’s cancer diagnosis was reported in February[/caption]
GettyBefore he was named the main suspect in his ex-wife’s murder, OJ Simpson was a decorated NFL running back[/caption]
AP:Associated PressSimpson served 11 years in prison after being convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping charges in Las Vegas in 2008[/caption]
The family said he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren in Las Vegas when he died.
OJ Simpson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February.
At the time, the once-prominent NFL star brushed off rumors of being in hospice care in an X, formerly Twitter, post.
“Hospice?! Hospice?! You talking about Hospice?” Simpson said at the time, imitating NBA legend Allen Iverson’s iconic practice rant.
“No, I’m not in any hospice. I don’t know who put that out there, but whoever put that out there, I guess, it’s like the Donald said, ‘You can’t trust the media.’
“All is well,” Simpson added.
In the months leading up to his death, Simpson’s health issues became apparent as he was pictured by the Daily Mail in November 2023 looking frail and limping.
Then, in January, Simpson was pictured using a cane during an outing.
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TRIAL OF THE CENTURY
Simpson’s accolades on the football field were tarnished after he was arrested for the murders of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, waiter Ron Goldman.
On June 12, 1994, Nicole and Goldman were found stabbed to death outside of her condo in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Goldman and Brown were found with multiple stab wounds to the head, neck, and body.
Investigators believe Brown fought for her life as she suffered defensive wounds on her hands.
Among the trail of evidence found at the scene was a single bloodied black glove.
Detectives went to Simpson’s home to inform him about his wife’s murder and found blood splatters on a white Ford Bronco parked in the driveway.
A second black glove was then found on the athlete’s property, which was later linked to the one authorities found at the murder scene.
After the jarring evidence was uncovered, police ordered Simpson to surrender, but instead of turning himself in, Simpson fled in another Bronco, which was driven by his friend, Al Cowlings.
BRONCO CHASE
In a 2 pm news conference, the Los Angeles Police Department declared that Simpson was a fugitive after failing to turn himself in.
The move sparked one of the most iconic television broadcasts in American history.
A massive pursuit ensued as over 20 police cruisers chased Simpson through city streets and highways spanning 60 miles in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
The moment was broadcast on every major news outlet in America and was watched by nearly 95 million viewers, making it the highest-rated basic cable event of that year.
The two-hour chase stretched throughout Orange County and eventually ended at Simpson’s home in Brentwood.
THE JUICE
A decorated athlete on the football field, Simpson became the University of Southern California’s second Heisman Trophy winner in 1968.
In his two seasons with USC, Simpson was twice a unanimous All-American.
Viewed as the most coveted player in college football, Simpson declared for the NFL Draft in 1969 and was selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills.
It didn’t take long for the star running back, born Orenthal James Simpson, to establish himself as a powerhouse in the pros, winning league MVP honors in 1973.
He earned the nickname The Juice and is often regarded as one of the all-time great running backs on the gridiron.
Despite his individual play and accolades, the Bills never reached a Super Bowl and only made the postseason once during Simpson’s time with the team.
The Bills traded their star running back to his hometown, San Francisco 49ers, before the start of the 1978 season.
Simpson played two seasons with the 49ers before retiring in December 1979.
OJ Simpson’s football career
OJ Simpson played for 10 years in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers from 1969 to 1979.
After starring in college for the University of Southern California in 1967 and 1968, he was drafted No 1 overall by the Bills in 1969.
Simpson spent nine of his 11 seasons in western New York and was named NFL MVP in 1973.
He was also a five-time Pro Bowler and led the league in rushing four times.
The former running back had two seasons with the 49ers before retiring in 1979.
Simpson scored 75 touchdowns during his career – 61 rushing and 14 receiving.
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