Notorious NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10th, 2024. His family issued a statement through his X (Twitter) account on the 11th that he passed away from prostate cancer. O.J. Simpson had been battling with cancer throughout his older life.
In May of 2023, he beat cancer of an undisclosed variant. In February of 2024, it was announced that O.J. was suffering from another form of cancer despite personal claims that he was not ill.
O.J. was the number one overall pick in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. O.J. rushed for 11,236 in his 11-year career where he played for the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers. O.J. broke many NFL records, including the fastest player to gain 1,000 rushing yards in a season, the fastest player to gain 2,000 rushing yards in a season, and the most rushing yards per game in a season. O.J. was inducted into the Bills Wall of Fame in 1980, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
O.J. was revered in the NFL world until June 12th, 1994 when his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman were murdered in Nicole’s home. O.J. had previously been involved in a domestic abuse case against Nicole which made him the top suspect in the case. O.J. would lead the infamous low-speed chase in his Ford Bronco. O.J.’s trial was a huge spectacle in the American eye, and as the trial progressed the glove famously did not fit so the jury acquitted O.J. A civil trial was later brought up against him for the wrongful death of Nicole, where he was found liable.
O.J. would find himself in the midst of another criminal trial where he was found guilty of armed robbery, and stealing sports memorabilia. O.J. was sentenced to a maximum of 33 years in Lovelock Correctional Center. In December 2021 he was released from prison on parole.
O.J. spent his years out of prison going on a social media parade, with interviews, and his own personal accounts. On the field, O.J. was a legendary player, but his off-the-field criminal actions will leave a permanent mark on his legacy.
