How to summarize the life story of O.J. Simpson?
From his record-breaking NFL Hall of Fame days to the national sensation that was his double murder trial, to being a national pariah and eventually convicted armed robber, to his later days getting drunk and disorderly in Las Vegas casinos and ranting on social media, Simpson’s life was certainly an eventful one.
He passed away on April 10, 2024, from prostate cancer at age 76. He was at his home in Las Vegas, where he had lived for the past seven years.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the family wrote on social media on Thursday.
Early Life and Football Career
Born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, Simpson rose to fame as an exceptional athlete. His football prowess was evident from a young age, leading him to become a standout running back for the University of Southern California Trojans (USC), where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968.
Simpson’s football career reached legendary heights when he joined the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. He became the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973, solidifying his status as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. His achievements on the field earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Retiring after 11 years in pro football, Simpson continued to star in the public eye. Throughout the late ’80s to early ’90s, he appeared in various big budget Hollywood movies.
Murder Accusations
Despite his athletic and acting successes, Simpson’s life took a dramatic turn in 1994 when he was accused of the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
The ensuing trial, often referred to as the “Trial of the Century,” captivated the nation. In a series of twists and turns, backed by some of the best lawyers money could buy, Simpson was eventually acquitted a year later.
However, although his expensive lawyers may have got him off the hook, the public never really moved on from the scandal.
In fact, he was even ordered to pay $33 million in damages to the families of the deceased in a civil court lawsuit. The father of victim Ron Goldman claimed he never received a dime.
Las Vegas Robbery
Following the trial, Simpson’s life was marked by legal troubles and controversies.
In 2007, he was convicted of raiding a Las Vegas hotel room and kidnapping the occupants.
Simpson always claimed that he was framed in the incident. Throughout his prison stretch, he claimed that he (and a crew of armed goons) only broke into the rooms at the Palace Station Casino to retrieve sports memorabilia that belonged to him.
Reportedly, Simpson believed that, alongside items from his football career, the long brown suit he wore during his 1995 trial was being stored in the room. It wasn’t.
The Nevada jury didn’t buy his story and convicted him of armed robbery and kidnapping. He served nine years in jail from his 17-year sentence.
Final Days
Beyond his criminal past and football, Simpson was also known for his acting and broadcasting career. He appeared in such films as The Towering Inferno and The Naked Gun series.
His outspoken personality and his football achievements continued to endear him to many, and he kept up a cult social media following.
In his later years, Simpson maintained a relatively low profile out of his home in suburban Las Vegas.
However, he occasionally took to social media to rant on various topics that interested him, mostly from his back garden.
He did, however, also find time for the odd casino visit. Which included a court battle with MGM over a ban he received from the Cosmopolitan for being drunk and disorderly.
His last social media post was February 11. It saw him sitting in his Las Vegas back garden, showing support for his hometown San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, which was held in Sin City.
O.J. Simpson is survived by his children, Arnelle, Jason, Aaren, Sydney and Justin, as well as their children.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
