OJ Simpson succumbed to cancer
The renowned former NFL player, best known for his acquittal in the high-profile double homicide case of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, during the 1990s, has died. His passing was announced on his official Twitter Page. Simpson was 76 years old.
The statement wrote, 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
Simpson’s legal representative confirmed to TMZ on Thursday that Simpson has passed away.
Simpson was previously acquitted in the highly publicized trial concerning the stabbing deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and her acquaintance, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles — a case that became one of the most notorious legal proceedings of the 20th century. The events irreversibly altered his life trajectory; he transitioned from being an esteemed sports figure to a disfavored public personality, eventually receiving a 33-year sentence for a clumsily executed robbery in a Las Vegas hotel in 2007.
On the sports front, Simpson was acknowledged as one of the preeminent running backs in the history of American football.
In 1968, he claimed the Heisman Trophy as the second player from the University of Southern California to do so, securing a record number of first-place votes (855) at the time. That year, he set a new NCAA record for a single season with 1,709 rushing yards, leading the USC Trojans to the Rose Bowl. Although the Trojans were defeated by the top-seeded Ohio State, Simpson’s individual performance of 171 rushing yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run, was notable.
During his tenure at USC, Simpson achieved the distinction of being a unanimous All-American twice and matched or surpassed a total of 19 NCAA, conference, and university records.
In 1969, O.J. Simpson was selected as the first overall pick in the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Known by his moniker “Juice,” Simpson achieved exceptional heights in his football career, being selected to the first-team All-Pro five times and earning six trips to the Pro Bowl. His most notable accomplishment came in 1973 when he was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after he set a groundbreaking record by rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season, a feat he accomplished within just 14 games. Furthermore, Simpson’s season average of 141.3 rushing yards per game remains unsurpassed in NFL history.