O.J. Simpson

Who Was O.J. Simpson?

O.J. Simpson, a former NFL football player, gained notoriety both for his athletic prowess and his controversial legal battles. Acclaimed as a college football star at the University of Southern California (USC), he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and later achieved remarkable success in the NFL, becoming a beloved figure among fans. However, his legacy is overshadowed by his high-profile acquittal of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in 1994. Following a sensational criminal trial that captivated the nation, Simpson was found liable for their deaths in a subsequent civil court case.

In 2008, Simpson’s legal troubles continued when he was convicted of kidnapping and armed robbery after an incident involving sports memorabilia dealers in Las Vegas. He served nearly nine years in prison before being released on parole in October 2017. Simpson passed away from complications related to cancer on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76.

Early Life

Born Orenthal James Simpson on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, he was named by his aunt after a French actor she admired. Simpson faced health challenges early in life, contracting rickets at age two, which resulted in him being pigeon-toed and bow-legged. To correct these issues, he wore special shoes connected by an iron bar until he was five.

Following his parents’ separation in 1952, Simpson was raised by his mother in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Potrero Hill. His youth was marked by involvement in a gang, the Persian Warriors, leading to a brief stay at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center in 1962. Despite initial academic struggles that limited his opportunities for college football, Simpson showcased his talent at Galileo High School and later excelled at the City College of San Francisco, ultimately earning a place on the USC football team as a halfback.

Football Career and Statistics

Simpson achieved national recognition as a two-time All-American halfback for the USC Trojans, where he set several NCAA records and earned the Heisman Trophy in 1968. In 1969, he joined the Buffalo Bills, where his performance improved significantly once the team’s offensive strategy was tailored to his strengths. Affectionately nicknamed “The Juice,” Simpson rushed for over 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons from 1972 to 1976, leading the NFL in rushing yards four times.

In 1973, he made history as the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. His remarkable achievements include setting league records for 23 touchdowns in a single season in 1975 and 273 rushing yards in a game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 1976, both of which have since been surpassed.

Simpson concluded his NFL career after two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and 1979. His contributions to the sport were recognized with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Acting and TV Commentary

After retiring from professional football in 1979, O.J. Simpson transitioned into a successful career as a sportscaster and actor. His foray into acting began while he was still an active athlete, most notably starring as a man wrongfully accused of murder in the 1974 film The Klansman.

Simpson later gained fame for his role in the Naked Gun series (1988), where he portrayed a bumbling assistant detective alongside Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley. He also became a familiar face in television commercials for Hertz rental cars, showcasing his athleticism as he leapt over luggage in a bid to catch a flight. Additionally, Simpson served as a commentator for Monday Night Football and the NFL on NBC.

Personal Life: Marriages and Children

O.J. Simpson was married twice and fathered five children, four of whom are still living. He first wed Marguerite L. Whitley on June 24, 1967, with whom he had three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren. Tragically, their daughter Aaren drowned in the family swimming pool just shy of her second birthday. Simpson and Marguerite divorced in 1979.

While still married to his first wife, Simpson began a relationship with Nicole Brown, an 18-year-old waitress. Their nearly 12-year age difference did not hinder their romance. After several years of dating and cohabiting, they married in February 1985, and Nicole took on the name Nicole Brown Simpson. The couple had two children together, Sydney and Justin. However, Nicole expressed concerns about the marriage, confiding to friends and family about instances of physical abuse. Law enforcement was called to their home multiple times, including a New Year’s Eve incident in 1989 that left her with visible injuries. Following this, Simpson pled no contest to charges of spousal battery, resulting in community service, a fine, and probation.

Despite attempts to reconcile, their relationship deteriorated, leading Nicole to file for divorce in 1992. The divorce settlement awarded her more than $430,000 and $10,000 per month in child support, finalizing in October of that year.

Murder Case and Trial

On the morning of June 13, 1994, O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were found brutally murdered outside her Brentwood condominium. Investigators concluded they had been killed the previous night. Following initial questioning, evidence emerged linking Simpson to the crime, culminating in a widely publicized police chase that captivated the nation.

Simpson was ordered to surrender by 11 a.m. on June 17 but instead went missing. Later that day, police tracked him down via a call made from his cell phone on the Santa Ana Freeway, leading to a slow-speed chase in a white Ford Bronco driven by former NFL player Al “A.C.” Cowlings, with Simpson in the backseat. He eventually surrendered at his Brentwood home, found in possession of a gun, cash, and a disguise, although he maintained he was not attempting to evade capture. Simpson declared his innocence, pleading “not guilty” to the murder charges.

Criminal Trial and Legal Defense

Simpson’s highly publicized criminal trial, dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” commenced on January 24, 1995, with the jury sequestered for nearly nine months—longer than any previous jury in California history. Simpson assembled a high-profile legal defense team, often referred to as the “dream team,” which reportedly cost him around $50,000 a day. This team included notable attorneys such as Johnnie Cochran, Robert Kardashian, and Robert Shapiro.

Despite the prosecution presenting compelling evidence, including a glove found on Simpson’s property that matched one near the crime scene, his defense team successfully questioned the integrity of the evidence handling. Cochran famously stated, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” On October 3, 1995, the jury found Simpson not guilty, a verdict that drew an audience of 150 million viewers—one of the most-watched events in television history.

Subsequent Civil and Criminal Convictions

Although acquitted of murder, Simpson faced a civil trial for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. In February 1997, he was found liable and ordered to pay the families $33.5 million in damages. To protect his assets from the civil judgment, Simpson moved to Florida in 1999 and attempted to auction memorabilia to raise funds.

In December 2000, he faced legal troubles again when he was accused of attacking another driver in a road rage incident, but was acquitted the following October. However, in 2007, Simpson was involved in a robbery at a Las Vegas hotel, where he claimed he was reclaiming his belongings from memorabilia dealers. He was convicted on 12 counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping, and sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.

Prison Sentence and Release

Simpson served nearly nine years for the robbery conviction. In 2013, he sought a new trial, claiming poor legal advice during his previous trial. However, his request for a new trial was ultimately denied. On July 20, 2017, Simpson appeared via video conference before the Nevada Board of Parole, asserting his compliance with prison rules and his desire to reconnect with his family. His daughter Arnelle and a victim from his robbery case testified in support of his release.

On July 31, 2013, Simpson was granted parole on five of his twelve convictions and was ultimately released from Lovelock Correctional Center just after midnight on October 1, 2017.

Later Years

Following his release from prison in October 2017, O.J. Simpson settled in the Las Vegas area while on parole. In the aftermath of his newfound freedom, he was approached by numerous businesses eager to capitalize on his celebrity status. His attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, noted in an interview with Vanity Fair that “everyone is talking about reality shows” and that their office received a barrage of calls, with offers as high as $50 million for Simpson’s participation in various projects. However, Simpson chose to ignore these opportunities, prioritizing his newfound freedom and well-being. LaVergne emphasized that Simpson, now a senior citizen, was focused on enjoying life after a decade of incarceration.

Despite this, Simpson soon found himself back in the headlines for negative reasons. In November 2017, he was reportedly expelled from the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas for being intoxicated and causing a disturbance at the hotel bar, where he broke several glasses. Reports indicated that he complied with security personnel during his removal from the premises.

Subsequently, Simpson filed a lawsuit against the hotel’s owner, alleging defamation by unnamed employees who purportedly informed the celebrity news outlet TMZ that he had been banned from the property. This lawsuit concluded in April 2021 with an undisclosed settlement between the parties.

In December 2021, Simpson was granted early release from his parole stemming from his robbery conviction, thus making him “a completely free man,” according to his attorney.

Cancer Diagnosis and Death

Speculation regarding Simpson’s health intensified during his later years. In May 2023, he posted a video on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), revealing that he had recently been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment, although he did not specify the cancer type.

By February 2024, a Las Vegas television station reported that Simpson was receiving treatment for prostate cancer, which led to rumors about him being in hospice care. Simpson addressed these rumors shortly before the Super Bowl on February 11, asserting, “My health is good. I mean, obviously, I’m dealing with some issues, but I think I’m just about over it.”

However, just two months later, his family announced his passing on April 10, 2024, due to complications from cancer. At the time of his death, the 76-year-old was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Following his wishes, his body was cremated.

In death, Simpson left a significant amount of debt, primarily due to the damages he owed to the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Legal representatives for Simpson and the Goldmans estimated that the total owed ranged from $114 million to $200 million, factoring in accrued interest. The executor of Simpson’s will initially expressed intentions to thwart the Goldmans’ collection efforts, stating they would receive “zero, nothing,” but later retracted this claim. It was suggested that Simpson’s assets would likely be insufficient to cover these obligations.

O.J. Simpson in Books and TV

Given his celebrity status and the high-profile nature of his legal troubles, Simpson has been the subject of numerous films and book projects.

If I Did It

In late 2006, Simpson intended to publish If I Did It, a ghostwritten hypothetical account of how he would have committed the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. However, after a publishing agreement with HarperCollins fell through, a federal bankruptcy judge awarded the book’s rights to the Goldman family. They added commentary and retitled it If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer, which was published in September 2007.

The Lost Confession

Simpson also taped an interview with HarperCollins publisher Judith Regan to accompany If I Did It, but the footage was shelved due to concerns from the victims’ families about Simpson profiting from the broadcast. In March 2018, the interview was finally aired as part of a two-hour special titled O.J. Simpson: The Lost Confession, in which Simpson recounted a “hypothetical” encounter with Goldman at his ex-wife’s residence, involving violence and a knife. He expressed remorse regarding his physical abuse of Nicole, stating, “The one thing that hurts me as much as anything in this… besides being considered by some a murderer is being a batterer.”

O.J.: Made in America

In June 2016, ABC released O.J.: Made in America, a documentary presented as a five-part miniseries that explored Simpson’s athletic career, the murder trial, and his cultural impact in America. The documentary received critical acclaim, winning the 2017 Academy Award for Best Documentary.

The People v. O.J. Simpson

The infamous murder case and subsequent trial were revisited in 2016 with the first season of American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson. Starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Simpson, the series garnered significant praise, winning nine Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series and three acting categories.

Net Worth

At the time of his death, Simpson’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His primary source of income was a fully funded NFL pension, which Sports Illustrated reported in 2017 could provide him with up to $25,000 per month. Over the years, Simpson’s wealth diminished significantly due to the civil damages owed from his past legal troubles. During his 1992 divorce proceedings, he estimated his net worth to be as much as $10.8 million, which is roughly equivalent to $18 million today.