After clinching the 1968 Heisman Trophy while attending the University of Southern California, he was chosen by the Buffalo Bills as the top overall pick in the 1969 draft.
Following an 11-season career in the NFL, Simpson retired in 1979, shifting his focus to the entertainment industry. He ventured into acting, appearing in both films and TV series, notably the The Naked Gun film trilogy.
Despite his renowned football career, Simpson’s name became associated with tragedy when his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her acquaintance Ronald Goldman were tragically discovered stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles residence in 1994.
Subsequently, O.J. (Orenthal James) was arrested and charged with the murders, leading to a highly publicized trial where he was eventually acquitted. However, he was later held responsible for the wrongful death and battery of Goldman in a civil lawsuit filed by Goldman’s family, resulting in a $33.5 million settlement for the victims’ families.
Before gaining fame through reality television, the late Robert Kardashian Sr. was part of the legal team representing O.J. during the trial, which inspired the 2016 limited series The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
O.J.’s legal troubles persisted as he was convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery in Las Vegas in 2007, serving a nine-year sentence before being granted early release in July 2017.
O.J. Simpson: A Life Marked by Football and Controversy
Initially rising to prominence as a standout football player, Simpson’s journey began with winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 at the University of Southern California. Subsequently, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1969, enjoying a successful NFL career that led to accolades such as being part of the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1970s and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
The Year 1985
In 1985, O.J. entered into marriage with his second wife, Nicole. However, their union ended in 1992 amidst reports of domestic abuse, including documented incidents in a police report from 1989. (O.J. had previously been married to Marguerite Whitley.)
1991: A Cinematic Venture
O.J. ventured into acting alongside Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley in the beloved The Naked Gun comedy trilogy, debuting in 1988 with a sequel in 1991.
The Tragic Year of 1994
The year 1994 marked a tragic turn of events as O.J.’s ex-wife and Goldman were found murdered. This led to a sensational trial, famously known as The Trial of the Century, where O.J. faced charges of double murder and was eventually acquitted after a lengthy legal battle from November 1994 to October 1995.
Reflecting on 1997
In 1997, Goldman’s family achieved legal victory in a civil suit against O.J., resulting in a substantial $33.5 million judgment against him.
The Legal Turmoil of 2007 and 2008
O.J. faced further legal issues in 2007 when he orchestrated a robbery in a Las Vegas hotel, resulting in charges of kidnapping and armed robbery. Subsequently, in 2008, he was found guilty and sentenced to a maximum of 33 years in prison.
The Year 2017
After serving time, O.J. was granted early release from the Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada in 2017.
Looking Ahead to 2024
In February 2024, reports emerged of O.J. undergoing cancer treatment, and two months later, his family announced his passing.
“In April 2024, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, lost his battle with cancer. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren, he peacefully passed away,” the Simpson family shared in a statement via X. “During this period of transition, the family kindly requests privacy and understanding.”