Former NFL superstar O.J. Simpson has passed away at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer his family announced via social media Thursday.
Simpson, who was one of the most recognizable faces in all of sports following a decorated pro-football and acting career, was reportedly dealing with prostate cancer, before ultimately passing on Wednesday April 10th.
“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 posted.
Simpson leaves behind a complicated legacy. The former 1st overall selection out of USC in the 1969 NFL Draft was a 5x 1st team All-Pro, 1973 NFL MVP & Offensive Player of the Year, a 5x Pro Bowler, and 4x NFL rushing yards leader. He was the fastest player to reach both 1,000 and 2,000 rushing yards in a season, and had the highest rushing yards per game in a season 143.1 per contest back in 1973.
In addition to the more two dozen TV and film appearances he made throughout his career, Simpson also worked as a commentator for Monday Night Football, and The NFL on NBC after his playing career with the Bills and 49ers wrapped up.
However, as the calendar flipped into the 90’s, O.J. began making headlines for different reasons altogether. In 1994, Simpson’s trial for the killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman captured international attention, and remain one of the most high profile court cases of all time. Though he was ultimately acquitted of the charges, a separate civil trial found him liable, with the outcome of the case still widely discussed to this day.
Simpson also made headlines for a 2007 tax case, in 2001 he was arrested on simple battery and burglary charges, which then led to an FBI investigation for suspicion of drug possession and money laundering. The former running back was then arrested in 2002 for breaking a variety of boating regulations, and was then accused by DirecTV for running a broadcast signal pirating operation which he was ordered to pay over $50,000 in damages and attorneys fees for as a result.
Finally, Simpson was embroiled in an armed robbery case in Las Vegas at the Palace Station hotel and casino, where “Juice” was found guilty and sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was ultimately released on parole in 2017 after serving almost 9 years in a correctional facility.
Few will question his on field accomplishments, from his Heisman winning campaign to his eventual enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However his post playing career tarnishes an otherwise impeccable life on the grid iron.
Simpson is survived by his 5 children Sydney, Jason, Justin, Arnelle and Aaren.
Photo: Jeno’s. This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1978 and March 1, 1989 without a copyright notice, and its copyright was not subsequently registeredwith the U.S. Copyright Office within 5 years.