Former United States football star OJ Simpson, famously acquitted of murder charges in the 1990s, has passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, as announced by his family on social media. Simpson’s family released a statement on Thursday morning, revealing that he died on Wednesday while surrounded by his children and grandchildren. The family has requested privacy and grace during this time of transition.
Simpson, known by his nickname “The Juice,” rose to fame as a star running back at the University of Southern California, winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1968. He then joined the National Football League (NFL) as the Buffalo Bills’ top draft pick in 1969, enjoying a successful 11-season career.
However, Simpson’s life took a controversial turn when he was charged with the stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. The subsequent events unfolded dramatically, with Simpson leading police on a slow-speed chase through Los Angeles in his white Ford Bronco, five days after the killings. The highly publicized trial, often referred to as the “trial of the century,” captivated audiences worldwide and divided public opinion.
Ultimately, Simpson was acquitted in 1995, leaving the nation divided between those who believed in his innocence and those who saw it as a miscarriage of justice. The case shed light on issues of race and the criminal justice system, with some perceiving Simpson as a victim of a biased police force.
Simpson’s legacy will forever be intertwined with the infamous trial, but his achievements on the football field cannot be overlooked. His passing marks the end of a complex and controversial chapter in American sports history.