O.J. Simpson, one of the most infamous high-profile former NFL players of all time, has passed away at the age of 76 after battling cancer. The former NFL great, who was famously acquitted of the double-murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown-Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in the ’90s, lost his life on Wednesday, March 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, and his family announced the news on Thursday.
According to his family, O.J. Simpson was surrounded by his loved ones, including his children and grandchildren, when he took his last breath. His health had been deteriorating in recent years due to prostate cancer, and he had been under hospice care for the past few months.
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
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
The news of O.J.’s chemotherapy treatment first surfaced in February of this year, though details were initially unclear. However, in a video posted on X in 2023, O.J. himself mentioned battling cancer, but instead suggested that he had overcome it. The disease resurfaced in 2024, leading to his untimely death. In the lead-up to his passing, O.J. appeared frail and was often seen using a cane.
As you all know, O.J.’s life was filled with both triumphs and controversies. Before the murder trial that captivated the nation, O.J. was a beloved all-American hero, winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming a Buffalo Bills legend. He also found success in Hollywood, starring in numerous movies and TV shows, and even served as the face of Hertz for many years.
However, everything changed in 1994 when O.J. Simpson was accused of the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The subsequent trial, dubbed the “Trial of the Century,” gripped the nation, with O.J.’s defense team famously arguing the glove didn’t fit.
Despite being acquitted of the murder charges, O.J.’s reputation was forever tarnished. He was later found liable for the deaths in a civil suit brought by the Goldmans and the Browns, resulting in substantial financial damages.
Following his acquittal, O.J. faced legal troubles in Las Vegas, including a conviction for his involvement in a hotel room incident to recover sports memorabilia he believed had been stolen from him. He served a lengthy prison sentence before being released on parole in 2017.
While O.J.’s life was a tumultuous rollercoaster, he still had fans and family members who stood by him, even in the face of controversy. His passing marks the end of a multi-decade saga filled with crime, intrigue, and national fascination.
As we bid farewell to O.J. Simpson, let us remember that his life was complex, defined by both incredible success and unthinkable tragedy. The legacy of the man once hailed as an American hero will forever be intertwined with the events that unfolded in the 1990s.
