Former American football legend O.J. Simpson passed away at the age of 76, following a struggle with cancer.
His death was confirmed by his lawyer to TMZ, stating that Simpson died on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. An announcement was made on Thursday on Simpson’s official X account, disclosing his battle with the illness.
“Orenthal James Simpson, our father, passed away after his battle with cancer, surrounded by his children and grandchildren,” the family stated in a heartfelt tribute.
Emerging from profound poverty, Simpson’s journey to fame began with his spectacular career in American football, where he left an indelible mark playing for the Buffalo Bills until his retirement in 1979. Post-retirement, Simpson ventured into acting, demonstrating his versatility and charisma off the field.
However, Simpson’s legacy was overshadowed by the infamous knife murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in June 1994 in Los Angeles. The event led to a high-speed chase that captivated the nation, broadcast live to millions in the U.S. and around the world, making Simpson a household name for reasons far beyond his athletic prowess.
Simpson’s criminal trial in Los Angeles ended in a controversial acquittal, a verdict that ignited widespread debate and revealed deep racial divisions, as Simpson was African American and the victims were white.
Despite being acquitted in the criminal court, a civil trial in 1997 found Simpson liable for the deaths, ordering him to pay over $33 million to the victims’ families. This verdict complicated Simpson’s legacy, intertwining his sporting achievements with a notorious legal saga.
The passing of O.J. Simpson marks the end of an era, leaving behind a complex legacy characterized by remarkable sporting achievements and overshadowed by his legal and personal controversies.
