OJ Simpson's family reportedly via X (formerly known as Twitter) that he passed away yesterday in Las Vegas after a battle with cancer. The family's statement read, "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."
O.J. was known for being an outstanding football star in college and the NFL, earning the name "Juice." Simpson, the former football great who was accused and acquitted of the brutal 1994 slayings of his ex-wife and her friend, Ron Goldman, which became known as the trial of the century.
Simpson was USC's second Heisman Trophy winner in 1968. According to ESPN, "he earned the most first-place votes (855) in the award's history. That season, he established a then-NCAA single-season rushing record with 1,709 yards as he guided the Trojans to a Rose Bowl appearance, where they lost to top-ranked Ohio State despite Simpson's 171 yards and 80-yard TD." In 1969, the Buffalo Bills made Simpson the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. "Juice" went on to make five First Team All-Pro squads and six Pro Bowls. He was named MVP in 1973 when he became the first to rush for 2,000 yards in a season (doing it in 14 games) while averaging 141.3 yards per game, still an NFL record.
OJ Simpson/NFL/YouTube Screenshot
Simpson was never able to fully recover his image after the murders of his ex-wife Nicole and Ron. 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.
Simpson attempted to stay out of the spotlight following the murder trial. He stated, "We don't need to go back and relive the worst day of our lives," Simpson told The Associated Press in 2019. "The subject of the moment is the subject I will never revisit again. My family and I have moved on to what we call the 'no negative zone.' We focus on the positives."
O.J. Simpson is survived by four children: Arnelle and Jason, from his first marriage, and Sydney and Justin, from his marriage to Nicole Brown Simpson.
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