The New York Times faced backlash from readers after publishing an obituary for OJ Simpson that provoked outrage. The original obituary stated that Simpson’s world was ruined after being charged with killing his former wife and her friend. However, Simpson was acquitted of these charges in 1995. The Times later edited the obituary due to the public outcry.
Simpson, a former NFL Hall of Fame running back who later became a movie star and celebrity pitchman, passed away at the age of 76 on Wednesday after battling prostate cancer. The revised obituary now highlights Simpson’s football career and success in the movie industry. It also acknowledges that his trial for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend became a significant moment in America’s racial discourse.
The Times’ initial wording drew scathing criticism on social media, with readers pointing out that it failed to acknowledge the true victims of the crime. One user sarcastically commented on the Times’ attempt to present both sides of the story, while another shared images of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, emphasizing that their worlds were the ones truly ruined.
In addition to the Times’ misstep, the Los Angeles Times also faced embarrassment when it mistakenly confused Simpson with former President Donald Trump in its obituary. The LA Times erroneously stated that Trump had been released on parole after serving nine years in a Nevada state prison. The mistake was later corrected, and Simpson’s name replaced Trump’s.
Simpson’s own legal troubles continued in 2008 when he was sentenced to 33 years in prison for his involvement in a robbery at gunpoint. After serving nine years, he was released on parole.
1 Response
As a longtime reader of The New York Times, I vividly remember the controversy surrounding the publication of OJ Simpson’s obituary. It was a shocking moment for many, myself included, as the newspaper faced significant backlash from readers.
I was in my early twenties at the time, and like most people, I was aware of the infamous OJ Simpson trial in the mid-1990s. The trial had captivated the nation, and the verdict had sparked intense debates about race, justice