The former football star and actor O.J. Simpson passed away at age 76 of prostate cancer in Las Vegas.
Simpson, known for his dynamic sports and acting career, was acquitted in a highly publicized murder trial. He was later found liable in a civil case for the 1994 deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Fred Goldman, Ronald’s father, expressed mixed emotions at Simpson’s death. He remarked on the complexity of grief.
The infamous slow-speed chase involving Simpson was broadcast live on TV. He once famously stated, “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.”
His trial in 1995 brought issues such as race and police misconduct into public discussion. Evidence against him included blood drops and a bloody glove found at his home.
Despite not testifying, Simpson demonstrated that the gloves presented in court did not fit him. Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.’s attorney famously argued, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Simpson was acquitted, but a civil jury later held him liable, awarding $33.5 million to the victims’ families.
Years later, Simpson was involved in a Las Vegas armed robbery, leading to his imprisonment. Released on parole in 2017, he insisted the incident involved retrieving stolen personal items.
Simpson remained a figure of public fascination. His comments and a controversial book proposal kept him in the spotlight.
Simpson played eleven NFL seasons, notably with the Buffalo Bills, and was the first to run over 2,000 yards in a season. He also had a TV and film career, including roles in the “The Naked Gun” series.
His memorabilia, including the suit he wore at his acquittal, became part of his controversial legacy. Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco and had a tumultuous personal life marked by highs and lows.
