O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star who was accused and eventually acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, died of cancer on April 10, according to a statement released by his family. He was 76 years old.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the statement, posted to X, begins. “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.”
Simpson was born on July 9, 1947 in San Francisco, California. Following a record-breaking collegiate football career at the University of Southern California, Simpson was drafted as the Number 1 pick to the Buffalo Bills in 1969. Nicknamed “The Juice,” Simpson set a number of NFL records during his 9 years with the Bills and was named MVP in 1973. He later spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In 1985, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Simpson’s fame grew beyond athletics, appearing in tv shows, films, and ad campaigns as he gained notoriety both off and on the field.
Simpson’s life took a shocking turn in 1994 when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were stabbed to death outside of the Simpsons’ home in Los Angeles. Simpson became a primary suspect in the investigation but neglected to turn himself in to police. This resulted in a low-speed car chase through Los Angeles that was broadcasted on television to an audience of over 95 million.
Simpson eventually surrendered to police and stood trial for the murders in what was dubbed the “trial of the century.” In October 1995, Simpson was found not guilty of either of the murders. A civil suit later found him liable for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million to the families of the deceased.
In 2007, Simpson was arrested in connection to an armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel. He was found guilty and served the minimum 9 years of his up to 33 year sentence before being released on parole in 2017.
In May 2023, Simpson revealed via social media that he had “caught cancer” but was optimistic about his prognosis. In February 2024, rumors surfaced that the former athlete was in hospice care in Las Vegas, claims Simpson refuted in a video uploaded to his X account.
Simpson is survived by his four children, Arnelle, Jason, Sydney, and Justin.
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