OJ Simpson Dies at 76 After Battle with Cancer
Orenthal James Simpson, known as OJ Simpson, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76 after battling cancer, his family announced on the former football player’s social media account. Simpson, whose trial and acquittal for a double murder captivated the nation, succumbed to his illness surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
Reports had surfaced in February that Simpson had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and was receiving palliative care while undergoing chemotherapy. In a video posted on social media, Simpson denied being in hospice but did not confirm or deny his cancer diagnosis.
Simpson, known as “The Juice” during his 11-year career in professional football, faced controversy in the 1990s following the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Despite being acquitted of the murders in a highly publicized trial in 1995, Simpson was later found civilly responsible for the double homicide.
Fred Goldman, Ronald’s father, expressed that Simpson’s death was “not a big loss” and emphasized that his son’s absence for all these years was the real tragedy.
In 2007, Simpson was involved in an armed robbery incident in Las Vegas, which led to his conviction and a 33-year prison sentence. He served nine years before being released on parole.
Simpson maintained his innocence in the 1994 murders and expressed his belief in the legal system despite the controversies surrounding his acquittal and subsequent legal troubles.
Born in San Francisco, Simpson rose to fame as a standout player at the University of Southern California before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1969. He became the first player in the NFL to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and is regarded as one of the best running backs of his era.
Simpson is survived by his children from his marriages to Marguerite Whitley and Nicole Brown Simpson. Following the murder trial, Simpson gained custody of his children and faced a custody battle with his ex-in-laws.
Despite his sporting achievements, Simpson’s legacy will forever be overshadowed by the controversies and legal troubles that plagued his life.