Ten things to remember about O.J. Simpson, the NFL running back-turned actor who was acquitted of murdering his wife and her friend. Simpson’s attorney confirmed to TMZ that the former NFL star died Wednesday night in Las Vegas at the age of 76. A message posted Thursday on Simpson’s official X account — formerly Twitter — said he died after battling cancer.
Quick Read
- O.J. Simpson passed away at 76 in Las Vegas, with his attorney confirming the news to TMZ. His death was attributed to a battle with cancer, according to a statement on his official X account.
- Simpson met Nicole Brown, his future wife, at The Daisy, a Beverly Hills restaurant where she worked as a waitress. They married in 1985, had two children, and divorced in 1992.
- Simpson’s son from his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley, Aaren, tragically drowned at age 2 in 1979.
- In his NFL career, Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968, was the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft, and became the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He was NFL Player of the Year multiple times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
- Simpson’s fame extended beyond football, becoming one of the most recognized faces in North America and covering “Rolling Stone” in 1977.
- As an actor, Simpson appeared in films like “The Naked Gun” series and “The Towering Inferno.” He was initially considered for “The Terminator” but was deemed too nice for the role.
- Simpson’s Hertz commercials famously depicted him running through airports, showcasing his athleticism and charm.
- The Bronco chase, following the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, was broadcast live, drawing massive public attention and interrupting an NBA Finals game on TV.
- During his trial, Simpson’s elderly mother testified about his childhood health issues, suggesting his physical limitations made him incapable of committing the murders.
- Simpson authored two books: “I Want to Tell You” during his criminal trial to help finance his defense and the controversial “If I Did It,” which he later called “blood money.”
- Attorney Johnnie Cochran, who became part of Simpson’s legal team after initially serving as a trial commentator, achieved worldwide fame for his defense of Simpson.
The Associated Press has the story:
O.J. Simpson dead at 76 after cancer battle: 10 Things to Remember
Newslooks- LOS ANGELES (AP) —
Ten things to remember about O.J. Simpson, the NFL running back-turned actor who was acquitted of murdering his wife and her friend.
Simpson’s attorney confirmed to TMZ that the former NFL star died Wednesday night in Las Vegas at the age of 76. A message posted Thursday on Simpson’s official X account — formerly Twitter — said he died after battling cancer.
HOW HE MET NICOLE BROWN
She was a waitress at the trendy Beverly Hills restaurant, The Daisy. They met when he dined there and they quickly became inseparable. They married in 1985, had two children, Sydney and Justin, and divorced in 1992.
HIS SON’S EARLY DEATH
Simpson had three children by his first marriage to Marguerite Whitley: Arnelle, Jason and Aaren, who drowned at the age of 2 in a family swimming pool in 1979.
NFL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
At the University of Southern California, Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and was the first player chosen in the 1969 NFL draft. As a pro, Simpson was the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards. He was NFL Player of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1975 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. Simpson played for the Buffalo Bills for nine years and for the San Francisco 49ers for two years.
HIS OVERWHELMING FAME
At the height of his football fame, polls indicated he was one of the top three most recognized faces in North America. In 1977, he became the first pro football player to make the cover of “Rolling Stone.” In 1978, he became the second professional athlete to host “Saturday Night Live.”
ACTOR SIMPSON’S MOVIES
He had roles in “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (1988), “The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear” (1991) and “The Towering Inferno” (1974). He was considered for the title role in “The Terminator,” but producers feared he was “too nice” to be taken seriously as a cold-blooded killer. He was working on a film called “Frogmen” shortly before the killings.
COMMERCIALS HAD HIM RUNNING THROUGH AIRPORTS
He made a series of commercials for the Hertz rental car company, including the juggernaut ad that had him jumping over counters at an airport.
THE BRONCO CHASE
The infamous Bronco chase caused one television station to rearrange coverage of an NBA Finals game, featuring the chase on the main screen and the game as an inset. Nearly every network was broadcasting the chase as it headed toward the cemetery where his ex-wife was buried, then wound back to Simpson’s house. Cameras in helicopters showed Simpson holding a gun to his head as his friend Al Cowlings drove. Because the chase was so slow, huge crowds had time to gather on overpasses, where they cheered wildly when he drove by.
MOTHER’S MOMENT
Simpson’s frail 73-year-old mother left her wheelchair, hobbled to the witness stand and told jurors how her son had rickets as a child and had inherited rheumatoid arthritis from her, suggesting he was too crippled to kill anyone.
TWO BOOKS HE WROTE FOR MONEY
While in jail during his criminal trial, he wrote a book called “I Want to Tell You” with a collaborator. It helped finance his defense. In 2008, he collaborated on a hypothetical confession called, “If I Did It,” which stirred up so much controversy that it was withdrawn from publication. Simpson said he needed money to pay for his children’s education. He called the proceeds “blood money.”
JOHNNIE COCHRAN
Attorney Johnnie Cochran was not his first attorney. That was Robert Shapiro. Cochran was reluctant to take on the case but was eventually convinced after praying with his pastor. He had been a commentator on the trial before becoming a part of it. He instantly went from being a well-known local attorney to being world famous.
