O.J. Simpson has died following a battle with cancer.
“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,” his family wrote on X.
He was 76 years old.
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
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
Simpson was, for a time, one of the most popular celebrities in America. He won the Heisman Trophy as a running back for the USC Trojans football team before getting drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills. He set multiple records during his time with the team, including becoming the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, which earned him an MVP.
After retiring following the 1979 season with the San Fransisco 49ers, Simpson transitioned to acting. He showed off his comedic prowess as Det. Norberg alongside Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun trilogy and was even reportedly considered to play the Terminator in James Cameron’s The Terminator. As Arnold Schwarzenegger, who got the part, once explained, “Somehow [James Cameron] felt that he was not as believable for a killing machine.” About that…
Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in what became known as the Trial of the Century. He was acquitted on both counts of murder, but the If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer author eventually served prison time in connection with a robbery.
Twelve years later, Simpson was arrested in September 2007 after he led a group of men into a Las Vegas hotel and casino to steal, at gunpoint, what he claims was his own sports memorabilia. Simpson was charged with a number of felony counts, including kidnapping and armed robbery. The following year, he was found guilty and sentenced to up to 33 years in prison. Simpson was released on parole on Oct. 1, 2017.
O.J. Simpson is survived by his kids Arnelle and Jason, from his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley, and Sydney and Justin, from his marriage to Nicole Brown Simpson.
(Via ABC News)
