O. J. Simpson

{{Short description|American football player and actor (1947–2024)}} {{Redirect|The Juice||Juice (disambiguation)}} {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use American English|date=April 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = O. J. Simpson | image = O.J. Simpson 1990 · DN-ST-91-03444 crop.JPEG | caption = Simpson in 1990 | birth_name = Orenthal James Simpson | birth_date = {{Birth date|1947|07|09}} | birth_place = {{nowrap|San Francisco, California, U.S.}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|04|10|1947|07|09}} | death_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | other_names = The Juice | alma_mater = University of Southern California | occupation = {{hlist|Football player|actor|sports broadcaster}} | known_for = {{hlist|Football career|murder trial|robbery case}} | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Marguerite Whitley|1967|1979|end=div}} * {{marriage|Nicole Brown|1985|1992|end=div}} }} | children = 5 | criminal_charges = {{plainlist| *  * {{cslist|Armed robbery|kidnapping}} (2007) }} | criminal_penalty = {{cslist|33 years imprisonment|9 years without parole}} (2008) | criminal_status = {{plainlist| * Acquitted (1995) * Convicted (2008) * Paroled (2017) * Discharged from parole (2021) }} | module = {{Infobox gridiron football biography | embed = yes | number = 32 | position = Running back | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 2 | weight_lb = 212 | high_school = Galileo {{awrap|(San Francisco)}} | college = {{ubl|CCSF (1965–1966)|USC (1967–1968)}} | draftyear = 1969 | draftround = 1 | draftpick = 1 | pastteams = * Buffalo Bills (1969–{{NFL Year|1977}}) * San Francisco 49ers ({{NFL Year|1978|1979}}) | highlights = * NFL Most Valuable Player (1973) * NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1973) * 5× First-team All-Pro (1972–1976) * 5× Pro Bowl (1972–1976) * AFL All-Star (1969) * AP Athlete of the Year (1973) * ''SN'' Athlete of the Year (1973) * Hickok Belt (1973) * 3× UPI AFC Offensive Player of the Year (1972, 1973, 1975) * 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976) * 2× NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1973, 1975) * NFL scoring leader ({{NFL Year|1975}}) * NFL 1970s All-Decade Team * NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team * NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team * Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame * National champion (1967) * Heisman Trophy (1968) * 2× Walter Camp Award (1967, 1968) * 2× UPI Player of the Year (1967, 1968) * 2× NCAA rushing yards leader (1967, 1968) * NCAA rushing touchdowns leader (1968) * NCAA scoring leader (1968) * USC Trojans No. 32 retired | statlabel1 = Rushing yards | statvalue1 = 11,236 | statlabel2 = Rushing average | statvalue2 = 4.7 | statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns | statvalue3 = 61 | statlabel4 = Receptions | statvalue4 = 203 | statlabel5 = Receiving yards | statvalue5 = 2,142 | statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue6 = 14 | pfr = S/SimpO.00 | HOF = o-j-simpson | CollegeHOF = 1897 }} | signature = OJ Simpson signature.svg }}

'''Orenthal James Simpson''' (July 9, 1947 – April 10, 2024), nicknamed "'''the Juice'''",{{efn|The name was a play on "OJ", an abbreviation of orange juice.}} was an American football player, actor, and media personality. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons—nine with the Buffalo Bills—and is regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time. His success was overshadowed by his two criminal charges for the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, and the contentious criminal trial in which he was acquitted on both counts.

Simpson played college football for the USC Trojans, winning the 1968 Heisman Trophy as a senior. He was selected first overall by the Bills in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. With the Bills, he received five consecutive Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections from 1972 to 1976. He led the league in rushing yards four times, in rushing touchdowns twice, and in points scored in 1975. Simpson became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season—earning him 1973's NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award—and he is the only player to do so in a 14-game regular season. He also holds the record for the single-season yards-per-game average, at 143.1.

After retiring with the San Francisco 49ers in 1979, Simpson was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame. He acted in film and television—notably, in the ''Naked Gun'' film franchise—and was also a sportscaster for NBC and ABC, and a celebrity spokesman for various brands, notably Hertz.

On June 12, 1994, Brown and Goldman were fatally stabbed at Brown's home in Los Angeles. On the 17th, Simpson was issued an arrest warrant for the murders; within hours, he and his friend Al Cowlings had gone missing, as Cowlings drove him away from public view in a now-iconic white Ford Bronco. Authorities found the car, then chased it across L.A. County as Simpson threatened suicide with a gun. Aerial telecopter footage of the chase was broadcast live to ~95 million concurrent viewers.

Simpson's murder trial from January to October 1995 was also televised, and received international publicity. It exacerbated racial divisions in the U.S.; Simpson, a black man, was accused of killing two white people, while his defense team claimed that the L.A. Police Department had tried to frame him for the crime in an act of racist corruption. Simpson's acquittal was viewed on television by ~100–150 million people. In 1997, he was found liable for the murders in a civil case brought on by the victims' families; he ultimately paid little of the resulting $33.5 million judgment. A 2007 nonfiction book that Simpson co-authored detailed a hypothetical scenario in which he committed both murders and then escaped punishment; he still claimed that in reality, he was innocent.

In 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping. He was convicted in 2008, and sentenced to 33 years' imprisonment, with a minimum of nine years without parole. He was incarcerated at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada until 2017, when he was released on parole. He then lived in Florida and Nevada until his death in 2024 from cancer.

==Early life== Born in 1947 in San Francisco, California, Simpson was a son of Eunice ({{nee|Durden}}), an orderly at a psychiatric ward, and Jimmy Lee Simpson,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Castaneda |first=Carlos |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Before O.J. Simpson's Hollywood fame, international infamy, he was a San Francisco treat |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/oj-simpson-san-francisco-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412061950/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/oj-simpson-san-francisco-history/ |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |work=CBS San Francisco |language=en-US}}</ref> a custodian for a Federal Reserve Bank and a private club and a cook.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |title=OJ Simpson, former football star acquitted of murder, dies at 76 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-former-football-star-acquitted-murder-dies/story?id=16354000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411144714/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-former-football-star-acquitted-murder-dies/story?id=16354000 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=McLellan |first=Dennis |date=November 10, 2001 |title=Eunice Simpson, 80; O.J.'s Mother Testified at Trial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-10-me-2620-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224150743/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-nov-10-me-2620-story.html |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Obituaries – UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/06/13/OBITUARIES/5590519019200/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232104/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/06/13/OBITUARIES/5590519019200/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |work=United Press International}}</ref> His father was also a well-known drag queen in the Bay Area, and later in his life, came out as gay. He died of AIDS in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ramon |date=May 11, 2016 |title=Gay Parents – Orenthal James (OJ) Simpson – Famous Gay Parents and Their Kids |url=http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayparentingadoption/ig/Famous-Gays-With-Kids/Orenthal-James--OJ--Simpson.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219175243/http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayparentingadoption/ig/Famous-Gays-With-Kids/Orenthal-James--OJ--Simpson.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=About.com}}</ref><ref name="Toobin2015">{{Cite book |last=Toobin |first=Jeffrey |author-link=Jeffrey Toobin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TS_ZCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |title=The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson |publisher=Random House Publishing Group |year=2015 |isbn=978-0-8129-8854-3 |page=45 |access-date=June 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226033912/https://books.google.com/books?id=TS_ZCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45 |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Simpson's maternal grandparents were from Louisiana.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jayden|last=Nguyen|title=O.J. Simpson had strong ties to Shreveport. Here's why he kept visiting the area|date=April 12, 2024|newspaper=The Advocste|url=https://www.shreveportbossieradvocate.com/news/oj-simpson-had-strong-ties-to-shreveport-heres-why/article_8dfc82aa-f8e1-11ee-96bc-0b74eace407a.html|access-date=April 17, 2024|archive-date=April 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418020349/https://www.shreveportbossieradvocate.com/news/oj-simpson-had-strong-ties-to-shreveport-heres-why/article_8dfc82aa-f8e1-11ee-96bc-0b74eace407a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His aunt gave him the name Orenthal, which she told him was the name of a French or Italian actor she liked.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Jordan|last=Bonfante|title=The best college halfback—just call him O.J.|date=October 27, 1967|magazine=Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SEkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA72-IA6|page=74b|volume=63|issue=7|issn=0024-3019|access-date=April 17, 2024|via=Google Books|quote=The only thing she ever told me about Orenthal was that it was the name of some French or Italian actor.|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417083941/https://books.google.com/books?id=SEkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA72-IA6&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1leGl3siFAxWQ8MkDHec8Dig4ChDoAXoECAUQAg#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="charmed">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |title=Before trial, Simpson charmed America |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016472.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224041605/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016472.html |archive-date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> He was called "O.J." from birth and did not know that Orenthal was his given name until a teacher read it in third grade.<ref name="carson19791219">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1JWngZGudg |title=O.J. Simpson – Tonight Show – 1979 |date=December 23, 2017 |publisher=NBC |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/q1JWngZGudg |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube |orig-year=1979}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Simpson had one brother, Melvin Leon "Truman" Simpson, one living sister, Shirley Simpson-Baker, and one deceased sister, Carmelita Simpson-Durio.{{r|cahill19770908}}{{Failed verification|date=January 2025}}

Simpson grew up in San Francisco and lived with his family in the housing projects of the low-income Potrero Hill neighborhood.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Knapp |first=Don |date=June 24, 1995 |title=O.J. Simpson Profile: Childhood |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/suspect/childhood.years/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126090841/http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/suspect/childhood.years/index.html |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> in 1952, when Simpson was age 4, his parents separated, and afterwards, he and his siblings were raised by their mother.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bruce |first=Aubrey |date=May 12, 2013 |title=Inside Conditions ... only a mother could love |url=http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/sports/13026-inside-conditions-only-a-mother-could-love |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731032100/http://www.newpittsburghcourieronline.com/index.php/sports/13026-inside-conditions-only-a-mother-could-love |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |access-date=May 15, 2013 |work=New Pittsburgh Courier}}</ref> As a child, Simpson developed rickets, and wore leg braces until the age of five,<ref name="CNN Timeline">{{Cite news |title=A timeline of O.J. Simpson's life |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/suspect/bio/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126090836/http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/suspect/bio/index.html |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> giving him his bowlegged stance.{{r|cahill19770908}} He earned money by scalping tickets and collecting seat cushions at Kezar Stadium.{{r|cahill19770908}}

thumb|upright|alt=A black-and-white photo of Simpson|Simpson's 1964 school portrait In his early teenage years, Simpson joined a street gang called the Persian Warriors and was briefly incarcerated at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center.<ref name="CNN Timeline" /> His future wife Marguerite, whom he dated in high school, described him as "really an awful person then."{{r|goodman19751013}}<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson, Football Star Whose Trial Riveted the Nation, Dies at 76 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/sports/oj-simpson-dead.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411150201/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/sports/oj-simpson-dead.html |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> He was arrested three times.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |last=Castañeda |first=Carlos |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Before O.J. Simpson's Hollywood fame, international infamy, he was a San Francisco treat |website=CBS San Francisco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/oj-simpson-san-francisco-history/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412061950/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/oj-simpson-san-francisco-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After his third arrest, Simpson happened to meet baseball star Willie Mays, who encouraged the youth to avoid trouble. He said it helped persuade him to reform.{{r|cahill19770908}}

Simpson first practiced sports at the Potrero Hill Recreation Center, which welcomed black people.<ref name=":24" /> At Galileo High School (now Galileo Academy of Science and Technology) in San Francisco, Simpson played for the school football team, the Galileo Lions.<ref name="wp-death" /> He played as a tackle and then as a fullback.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-17 |title=O.J. Simpson {{!}} Biography, Trial, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/O-J-Simpson |access-date=April 17, 2024 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415190844/https://www.britannica.com/biography/O-J-Simpson |url-status=live }}</ref> Meanwhile, he started earning money by organizing dances and charging admission.{{r|cahill19770908}} He graduated in 1965.<ref name="wp-death">{{Cite news |last1=Maese |first1=Rick |last2=Frankel |first2=Glenn |last3=Schudel |first3=Matt |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson, football great whose trial for murder became a phenomenon, dies at 76 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-football-murder-trial-dead/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231607/https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-football-murder-trial-dead/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

==College football and track career== Although Simpson was an All-City football player at Galileo, his mediocre high-school grades prevented him from attracting the interest of many college recruiters. After a childhood friend's injury in the Vietnam War influenced Simpson to stay out of the military, he enrolled at City College of San Francisco in 1965.<ref name="cahill19770908">{{Cite magazine |last=Cahill |first=Tim |date=September 8, 1977 |title=O.J. Simpson: A Man for Offseason |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/a-man-for-off-season-19770908 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 7, 2017 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801032705/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/a-man-for-off-season-19770908 |url-status=live }}</ref> He played football both as a running back and defensive back and was named to the Junior College All-American team as a running back.<ref>{{cite book|last=Blevins|first=David|title=The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aB8sCV5nVaoC&q=O.+J.+Simpson+City+College+of+San+Francisco+offense+running+back+defense+defensive+back&pg=PA895|access-date=May 15, 2013|year=2011|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0810861305|page=895|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040517/https://books.google.com/books?id=aB8sCV5nVaoC&q=O.+J.+Simpson+City+College+of+San+Francisco+offense+running+back+defense+defensive+back&pg=PA895|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson also ran for the City College of San Francisco Rams track and field team.<ref>{{cite web |title=O.J. Simpson Paces CCSF Track Win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-oj-simpson/194291525/ |work=San Francisco Examiner |access-date=27 March 2026 |page=52 |date=20 Mar 1966}}</ref> City College won the Prune Bowl against Long Beach City College, and many colleges sought Simpson as a transfer student for football.{{r|cahill19770908}}

In 1967, Simpson enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, which he had admired as a young football fan. He had also considered going to the University of Utah.<ref name=":10" />{{r|cahill19770908}}<ref name=":11" /> He played running back with the Trojans for head coach John McKay in 1967 and 1968.<ref name=":11">{{cite web|url=https://www.blocku.com/2012/7/8/3146029/o-j-utah-the-heisman-and-a-long-winding-what-if|title=O.J., Utah, the Heisman and a long, winding what if|date=July 8, 2012|access-date=July 22, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906224506/https://www.blocku.com/2012/7/8/3146029/o-j-utah-the-heisman-and-a-long-winding-what-if|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson led the nation in rushing both years under McKay: in 1967 with 1,543 yards and 13 touchdowns, and in 1968 with 1,880 yards on 383 carries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-simpson-1.html |title=O.J. Simpson College Stats |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218142916/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-simpson-1.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In their 1967 game against their crosstown rival UCLA, USC was down by six points in the fourth quarter with under 11 minutes remaining. On their own 36, USC backup quarterback Toby Page called an audible on third and seven. Simpson's 64-yard touchdown run tied the score, and the extra point provided a 21–20 lead, which was the final score.<ref name=spbtrpbr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jDlWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6952%2C1660834 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Simpson powers Trojans past Bruins into Rose Bowl |date=November 19, 1968 |page=1, sports |access-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415020914/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jDlWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6952%2C1660834 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was the biggest play in what is regarded as one of the greatest football games of the 20th century,<ref>Peters, Nick. (1988) "College Football's Twenty-Five Greatest Teams". ''The Sporting News''. Number 9 Southern California Trojans 1967; {{ISBN|0-89204-281-8}}.</ref> and pictures of the play were published in many national magazines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Maryann |date=1992-11-19 |title=A Run for the Roses : O.J. Simpson's 64-Yarder Against UCLA Helped Send USC on to Pasadena and a National Championship |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-19-sp-793-story.html |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025231039/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-19-sp-793-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Another dramatic touchdown in the same game is the subject of the Arnold Friberg oil painting, ''O.J. Simpson Breaks for Daylight''. Simpson also won the Walter Camp Award in 1967 and was a two-time unanimous All-American.<ref>[http://usctrojans.cstv.com/ University of Southern California Football Media Guide"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814050342/http://usctrojans.cstv.com/|date=August 14, 2009}}, p. 125 (2006 edition).</ref> USC would go on to win the national title for that year. Even though Simpson led the nation in college football rushing yards, the Heisman Trophy went to UCLA's Gary Beban; Simpson was second in voting.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |title=Here's a look at O.J. Simpson's career highlights in football and athletics |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-football-career-highlights/73290477007/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414214219/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-football-career-highlights/73290477007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Simpson was an aspiring track athlete.<ref name=":20" /> Before playing football at USC, he ran the third leg of a sprint relay quartet that broke the world record in the 4 × 110-yard relay at the NCAA track championships in Provo, Utah on June 17, 1967. They had a time of 38.6 seconds.<ref name="tbrelmkenr">{{cite news |last=Payne |first=Bob |date=June 18, 1967 |title=Trojans blast relay mark en route to championship |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vq8RAAAAIBAJ&pg=7206%2C1133011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415021045/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vq8RAAAAIBAJ&pg=7206%2C1133011 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=October 19, 2020 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |page=1, sports}}</ref><ref name=":19" /> Also that year, he had a 100-yard dash time of 9.53 seconds.<ref name=":19" /> He lost a 100 m race at Stanford University against the then-British record holder Menzies Campbell.<ref name=":20">{{cite web|url=http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/61330/sir_menzies_campbell_race_to_the_finish.html|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2014|magazine=The House Magazine|title=Sir Menzies Campbell: Race to the Finish|archive-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028100232/http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/61330/sir_menzies_campbell_race_to_the_finish.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

As Simpson rose in popularity, he avoided controversy, such as not participating in a boycott of the 1968 Olympics,<ref name=":24" /> which was supported by people like Martin Luther King Jr. as a protest against racial injustice in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-23 |title='O.J.: Made in America' Is About The Ex-NFL Star And Its Audience |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/o-j-made-america-about-ex-nfl-star-its-audience-n578921 |access-date=2024-04-30 |publisher=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506011349/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/o-j-made-america-about-ex-nfl-star-its-audience-n578921 |url-status=live }}</ref>

thumb|alt=Simpson surrounded by reporters, smiling|Simpson talking to reporters in 1967As a senior in 1968, Simpson rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns in the regular season, earning the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award. He held the record for the Heisman's largest margin of victory for 51 years, defeating runner-up Leroy Keyes by 1,750 points. In the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, No. 2 USC faced top-ranked Ohio State; Simpson ran for 171 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run, in a 27–16 loss.<ref name="defarex">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1969/01/13/620023/defense-and-rex-make-a-king |last=Jenkins |first=Dan |author-link=Dan Jenkins |title=Defense and Rex make a king |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=January 13, 1969 |page=16 |access-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181458/http://www.si.com/vault/1969/01/13/620023/defense-and-rex-make-a-king |url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson's number 32 jersey was later retired by USC.<ref name=":24" />

==NFL career==

===Buffalo Bills=== The first selection in the 1969 NFL/AFL draft was held by the AFL's Buffalo Bills, after finishing 1–12–1 in 1968. They took Simpson, but he demanded the largest contract in professional sports history: $650,000 over five years (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|650000|1969|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}). This led to a standoff with Bills' owner, Ralph Wilson, as Simpson threatened to become an actor and skip professional football. Eventually, Wilson agreed to pay Simpson.<ref name=Posnanski_2000>Posnanski, Joe. [http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/oj-simpson-2000-yards/ Chasing 2,000 in '73] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708233704/http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/oj-simpson-2000-yards/ |date=July 8, 2016 }}. NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 27, 2016.</ref><ref name=Deford_Holdout>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1969/07/14/610481/oj-simpson-contract-holdout-buffalo-bills-nfl |last=Deford |first=Frank |author-link=Frank Deford |title=Ready if you are, O.J. |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 14, 1969 |page=16 |access-date=December 11, 2017 |archive-date=November 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125003046/https://www.si.com/vault/1969/07/14/610481/oj-simpson-contract-holdout-buffalo-bills-nfl |url-status=live}}</ref>

Simpson entered professional football with high expectations,<ref name=Posnanski_2000 /><ref name=Deford_Holdout /> but struggled in his first three years, averaging only 622 yards per season.<ref name="stats" /> Bills coach John Rauch, not wanting to build an offense around one running back, assigned Simpson to do blocking and receiving duties at the expense of running the ball. In 1971, Rauch resigned as head coach, and the Bills brought in Harvey Johnson.<ref name=Posnanski_2000 /><ref name=RauchObit>{{Cite news|last=Weber|first=Bruce|date=2008-06-13|title=John Rauch, 80, Coach of Raiders and the Bills, Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/sports/football/13rauch.html|access-date=2024-07-16|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=HarveyJohnsonSI>Shrake, Edwin. [https://www.si.com/vault/1971/09/06/612134/the-name-of-the-game-is-oj The Name of the Game is O.J.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512105501/https://www.si.com/vault/1971/09/06/612134/the-name-of-the-game-is-oj |date=May 12, 2017 }}. ''Sports Illustrated''. September 6, 1971. Retrieved June 27, 2016.</ref> Despite Johnson devising a new offense for Simpson, Simpson was still ineffective that year. After the 1971 season, the Bills fired Johnson and brought in Lou Saban as head coach.<ref name=Posnanski_2000 /> Unlike Rauch, Saban made Simpson the centerpiece of the Bills offense.<ref name=NowYouSeeHim_Saban>Marshall, Joe. [https://www.si.com/vault/1973/10/29/618411/now-you-see-him-now-you-dont Now You See Him, Now You Don't ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172625/https://www.si.com/vault/1973/10/29/618411/now-you-see-him-now-you-dont |date=December 15, 2018}}. ''Sports Illustrated''. October 29, 1973. Retrieved June 27, 2016.</ref>

[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 29 - O.J. Simpson.jpg|thumb|alt=Simpson rushing with the ball toward a defender|Simpson breaking the NFL's single-season rushing record in 1973]] In 1972, Simpson rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, gaining a league-leading total of 1,251 yards. In 1973, Simpson became the first player to break the highly coveted 2,000-yard rushing mark, with 2,003 total rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.<ref name="stats" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8nocAAAAIBAJ&pg=1820,5060157&dq=buffalo+bills+1973&hl=en |title=His Finest Moment Was After The Game |last=Richman |first=Milton |date=December 17, 1973 |work=The Dispatch |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413071735/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8nocAAAAIBAJ&pg=1820%2C5060157&dq=buffalo+bills+1973&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Simpson broke the mark during the last game of the season against the New York Jets with a seven-yard rush. That same game also saw Simpson break Jim Brown's single-season rushing record of 1,863 yards.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/12.16.html O.J. Writes History in the Snow] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517202832/http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/12.16.html |date=May 17, 2017 }}. ''New York Times''. December 16, 1973. Retrieved June 27, 2016.</ref> For his performance, Simpson won that year's NFL MVP Award and Bert Bell Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/award_apmvp.htm |title=AP NFL Most Valuable Player Winners |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305002308/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/award_apmvp.htm |archive-date=March 5, 2013 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/bert-bell-award-winners Bert Bell Award Winners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817074349/https://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/bert-bell-award-winners |date=August 17, 2016 }}. Maxwell Football Club. Retrieved June 29, 2016.</ref> He was also named ''The Sporting News'' Athlete of the Year,<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2023 |title=History of The Sporting News' Athlete of the Year awards: Full list of past winners, 1968–2023 {{!}} Sporting News |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/archives/news/sporting-news-athlete-year-awards-full-list-past-winners/b5057b347246de26b7015930 |access-date=November 17, 2025 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-us}}</ref> received the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hickok Belt |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/hickok_belt.shtml |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=www.baseball-almanac.com |language=en-us}}</ref> and was selected as the Associated Press Athlete of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2019 |title=Here's a list of every AP male athlete of the year winner since 1931 |url=https://www.wxyz.com/sports/heres-a-list-of-every-ap-male-athlete-of-the-year-winner-since-1931 |access-date=November 24, 2025 |website=WXYZ 7 News Detroit |language=en}}</ref> While other players have broken the 2,000-yard mark since Simpson, his record was established when the NFL had only 14 games per season, as opposed to the 16-game seasons that began in 1978.<ref>Schwartz, Larry. [https://www.espn.com/classic/s/simpson_moment.html Dec. 12, 1973: Simpson reaches 2,000 yards] . ESPN. November 19, 2003. Retrieved June 26, 2016.</ref> In 2013, Simpson was reported still holding the rushing record for 14 games.<ref name="fox-14-game-record">{{cite news |title=Remembering O.J. Simpson's record-setting moment, 40 years later |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/remembering-o-j-simpsons-record-setting-moment-40-years-later |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=Fox Sports |date=December 16, 2013 |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208132722/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/remembering-o-j-simpsons-record-setting-moment-40-years-later |url-status=live }}</ref>

Simpson gained over 1,000 rushing yards in each of the next three seasons. He did not lead the league in rushing in 1974, but did cross the 1,000-yard barrier despite a knee injury.<ref name=SportsEncyclopedia>Neft, David S.; Cohen, Richard M.; and Korch, Rich [http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0312110731/soft-cover/ The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Football, 12th Edition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222541/http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0312110731/soft-cover/ |date=March 3, 2016 }}, p. 270 Martin's Press, 1994, {{ISBN|0-312-11073-1}}.</ref> In game 11 of 1974, he passed Ken Willard as the rushing leader among active players, a position he maintained until his retirement more than five seasons later. Simpson also made his first and only playoff appearance during the 1974 season. In a divisional game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Simpson rushed for 49 yards on 15 attempts and caught a touchdown pass, but the Bills lost the game 32–14.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00/gamelog/post/ |title=O.J. Simpson Playoffs Game Log |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525091334/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00/gamelog/post/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Simpson won the rushing title again in 1975, rushing for 1,817 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had a career-high 426 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns that season.<ref name="stats" />

Simpson again led the league in rushing in 1976, rushing for 1,503 yards and eight touchdowns.<ref name="stats" /> He had the best game of his career during that season's Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions on November 25. In that game, Simpson rushed for a then-record 273 yards on 29 attempts and scored two touchdowns. Despite Simpson's performance, the Bills lost the game 27–14.<ref name=ThanksgivingGame>Stolzenburg, Anna. [http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/History-of-Bills-Thanksgiving-Day-games/89a5cd6d-fd3f-40ca-8f65-833c3e55e460 History of Bills Thanksgiving Day games] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815092231/http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/History-of-Bills-Thanksgiving-Day-games/89a5cd6d-fd3f-40ca-8f65-833c3e55e460 |date=August 15, 2016 }}. buffalobills.com. November 28, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2016.</ref>

A low light that season came during a game against the New England Patriots a few weeks earlier when defensive end Mel Lunsford and several other Patriots defenders stuffed the superstar running back for no gain. Still, as Simpson tried to continue driving forward, Lunsford bodyslammed him to the ground. Simpson got up and punched Lunsford, which prompted Lunsford to swing back. Bills offensive lineman Reggie McKenzie then jumped on Lunsford's back. Still, Lunsford bent down and flung McKenzie over his head. He went back to swinging at Simpson before a melee of the two teams stopped the fight and ended up in a pile on the field. Lunsford and Simpson were ejected from the game as the Patriots' solid defense persisted, with New England winning 20–10 to finish the 1976 season 11–3. The Bills finished 2–12.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 8, 1976 |title=Simpson Ejected for Fighting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/08/archives/simpson-ejected-for-fighting.html |access-date=April 5, 2022 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405161547/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/08/archives/simpson-ejected-for-fighting.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Simpson played only seven games in 1977 due to injury.<ref name="charmed"/>

===San Francisco 49ers=== On March 28, 1978, prior to the 1978 season (the last year on his three-year contract that paid him $733,000), the Bills traded Simpson to his hometown San Francisco 49ers for five draft picks (2nd and 3rd round draft pick for 1978, a 1st round and 4th round pick for 1979, and a 2nd round pick for 1980);{{efn|The Bills used these picks to draft Scott Hutchinson and Danny Fulton in 1978, Tom Cousineau and Ken Johnson in 1979, and Joe Cribbs in 1980. Cousineau elected to play in the CFL over playing in Buffalo, with the team later trading his rights for three draft picks in 1983, with one pick being used to draft Jim Kelly.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/1/31/22258753/first-overall-picks-traded-o-j-simpson-buffalo-bills-san-francisco-49ers-tom-cousineau | title=First overall picks traded for each other for first time since O.J. Simpson | date=January 31, 2021 }}</ref>}} Simpson had tried to get the Bills to engineer a trade to the Los Angeles Rams prior to 1976 because of him and his wife's preference for the West Coast.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/o-j-simpson-career-san-234354556.html | title=O.J. Simpson's career as a San Francisco 49er | date=June 23, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brady |first1=Dave |title=Simpson Goes To 49ers for 5 Draft Picks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/03/25/simpson-goes-to-49ers-for-5-draft-picks/2e74e1d1-4de0-47a7-b844-ac31887a3052/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=28 November 2024 |date=24 March 1978}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=O.J. Simpson: Career Capsule |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=195&tab=Capsule |publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame |access-date=November 28, 2011 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516115433/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?PlayerId=195&tab=Capsule |url-status=live }}</ref> The team previously had Delvin Williams and Wilbur Jackson in the backfield.<ref name=":10" /> Simpson played in San Francisco for two seasons, rushing for 1,053 yards and four touchdowns.<ref name="stats" /> Physical problems with his knees influenced him to retire from football.<ref name=":10" /> For his last home game at Candlestick Park, the 49ers held an "O.J. Simpson Day" at the stadium.<ref name=":24" /> His final NFL game was on December 16, 1979, a 31–21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197912160atl.htm |title=San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – December 16th, 1979 |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016014421/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197912160atl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His final play was a 10-yard run on 3rd and 10 for a first down.<ref>Chung, Winston. [http://cover32.com/2016/06/23/o-j-simpsons-career-san-francisco-49er/ O.J. Simpson's career as a San Francisco 49er] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105120424/http://cover32.com/2016/06/23/o-j-simpsons-career-san-francisco-49er/ |date=January 5, 2022 }}. cover32.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.</ref>

===Career summary=== Simpson gained 11,236 rushing yards, placing him 2nd on the NFL's all-time rushing list when he retired; he now stands at 22nd. He was named NFL Player of the Year in 1973, and played in six Pro Bowls. He was the only player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season, and the only player to rush for over 200 yards in six different games in his career. From 1972 to 1976, Simpson averaged 1,540 rushing yards per (14 game) season, 5.1 yards per carry, and he won the NFL rushing title four times.<ref name="stats" /> Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Christine|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2007-09-19-oj-hall_N.htm|title=Pro Football Hall needs O.J. exit strategy|date=September 19, 2007|work=USA Today|access-date=May 15, 2013|archive-date=October 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023043935/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2007-09-19-oj-hall_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, he was named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.<ref name="RB">{{cite news |author=Battista, Judy |title=NFL's All-Time Team: Jim Brown tops RBs; Bill Belichick a coach |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-s-all-time-team-jim-brown-tops-rbs-bill-belichick-a-coach-0ap3000001079453 |publisher=National Football League |date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=November 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123080659/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001079453/article/nfls-alltime-team-jim-brown-tops-rbs-bill-belichick-a-coach |url-status=live }}</ref> Simpson also occasionally returned kickoffs during his early career, finishing with 33 returns for 990 yards and a touchdown, an average of 30 yards per return.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=O.J. Simpson Stats|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=October 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022172708/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Simpson acquired the nickname "Juice" as a play on "O.J.", a common abbreviation for orange juice. "Juice" is also a colloquial synonym for electricity or electrical power, and hence a metaphor for any powerful entity; the Bills' offensive line at Simpson's peak was nicknamed "The Electric Company".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/2010/06/top-20-bills-all-time-draft-picks-joe-delamielleure-8/|title=Top 20 Bills All-Time Draft Picks: Joe DeLamielleure (#8)|access-date=June 27, 2010|date=June 15, 2010|author=Moran, Patrick|work=Buffalo Sports Daily|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621020444/http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/2010/06/top-20-bills-all-time-draft-picks-joe-delamielleure-8/|archive-date=June 21, 2010}}</ref>

===Post season achievements=== Simpson played in only one playoff game during his 11-season Hall of Fame career: a 1974 Divisional Round game between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Simpson was held to 49 rushing yards on fifteen carries to go with three receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown as the Bills lost 32–14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412220pit.htm|title=Divisional Round – Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 22nd, 1974|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=November 17, 2021|archive-date=November 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115120704/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412220pit.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Indeed, 1974 would be one of only three winning seasons the Bills would tally in Simpson's nine years with the team.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

===Other activities during NFL career=== In 1975, Simpson competed on the television series ''Superstars'', and was the season's winner. He received $39,250 in prize money.<ref>{{cite web |title=1975 Men's Final |url=https://www.thesuperstars.org/comp/75final.html |website=thesuperstars.org |access-date=26 February 2025}}</ref> Following the example of the previous season's winner (Kyle Rote Jr.), Simpson donated $5,000 of his prize money to the Special Olympics.<ref name="Observer1">{{cite news|title=Special Olympics |url=http://archives.nd.edu/observer/v21/1987-07-30_v21_Special-Olympics.pdf |page=10 |accessdate=31 October 2019 |work=The Observer |date=July 1987}}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===NFL=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" | style="background:#ff0; width:3em;"|{{Abbr||Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year}} | AP NFL MVP & OPOTY |- | style="background:#e0cef2; width:3em;"|{{Abbr||NFL record}} | NFL record |- | style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|{{Abbr||Led the league}} | Led the league |- | '''Bold''' | Career high |}

====Regular season==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |+NFL career regular season statistics |- !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Team !scope="colgroup" colspan="2"| Games !scope="colgroup" colspan="7"| Rushing !scope="colgroup" colspan="7"| Receiving !scope="colgroup" colspan="5"| Kickoff returns !scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{Abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} |- !scope="col"| {{Abbr|GP|Games played}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|GS|Games started}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Att|Attempts}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Lng|Longest rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Y/G|Rushing yards per game}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|A/G|Average rushing attempts per game}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Lng|Longest receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Y/G|Average receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|R/G|Average Receptions per game}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ret|Kickoff returns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Return yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average yards per return}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Lng|Longest return}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Return touchdowns}} |- !scope="row"| 1969 | BUF | 13 || 0 || 181 || 697 || 3.9 || 32 || 2 || 53.6 || 13.9 || '''30''' || 343 || 11.4 || 55 || 3 || 26.4 || '''2.3''' || '''21''' || '''529''' || 25.2 || 73 || 0 || 6 |- !scope="row"| 1970 | BUF | 8 || 8 || 120 || 488 || 4.1 || 56 || 5 || 61.0 || 15.0 || 10 || 139 ||| 13.9 || 36 || 0 || 17.4 || 1.3 || 7 || 333 || '''47.6''' || '''95''' || '''1''' || 6 |- !scope="row"| 1971 | BUF | 14 || 14 || 183 || 742 || 4.1 || 46 || 5 || 53.0 || 13.1 || 21 || 162 || 7.7 || 38 || 0 || 11.6 || 1.5 || 4 || 107 || 26.8 || 43 || 0 || 5 |- !scope="row"| 1972 | BUF | 14 || 14 || 292 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,251{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 4.3 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''94'''{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 6 || 89.4 || 20.9 || 27 || 198 || 7.3 || 25 || 0 || 14.1 || 1.9 || 1 || 21 || 21.0 || 21 || 0 || '''8''' |- !scope="row" style="background:#ff0; width:3em;"|1973 | BUF | 14 || 14 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''332'''{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''2,003'''{{Abbr||Led the league}} || '''6.0''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| 80{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| 12{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#e0cef2;"| '''143.1''' || '''23.7''' || 6 || 70 || 11.7 || 24 || 0 || 5.0 || 0.4 || – || – || – || – || – || 7 |- !scope="row"| 1974 | BUF | 14 || 14 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 270{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 1,125 || 4.2 || 41 || 3 || 80.4 || 19.3 || 15 || 189 || 12.6 || 29 || 1 || 13.5 || 1.1 || – || – || – || – || – || 7 |- !scope="row"| 1975 | BUF | 14 || 14 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 329{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,817{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| 5.5{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| 88{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''16'''{{Abbr||Led the league}} || style="background:#cfecec;"| 129.8{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 23.5 || 28 || '''426''' || '''15.2''' || '''64''' || '''7''' || '''30.4''' || 2.0 || – || – || – || – || – || 7 |- !scope="row"| 1976 | BUF | 14 || 13 || 290 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 1,503{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 5.2 || 75 || 8 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 107.4{{Abbr||Led the league}} || 20.7 || 22 || 259 || 11.8 || 43 || 1 || 18.5 || 1.6 || – || – || – || – || – || 6 |- !scope="row"| 1977 | BUF | 7 || 7 || 126 || 557 || 4.4 || 39 || 0 || 79.6 || 18.0 || 16 || 138 || 8.6 || 18 || 0 || 19.7 || '''2.3''' || – || – || – || – || – || 2 |- !scope="row"| 1978 | SF | 10 || 10 || 161 || 593 || 3.7 || 34 || 1 || 59.3 || 16.1 || 21 || 172 || 8.2 || 19 || 2 || 17.2 || 2.1 || – || – || – || – || – || 5 |- !scope="row"| 1979 | SF | 13 || 8 || 120 || 460 || 3.8 || 22 || 3 || 35.4 || 9.2 || 7 || 46 || 6.6 || 14 || 0 || 3.5 || 0.5 || – || – || – || – || – || 3 |- !scope="row" colspan="2"| Career<ref name="stats">{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00.htm |title=O.J. Simpson Stats |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022172708/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | 135 || 116 || 2,404 || 11,236 || 4.7 || 94 || 61 || 83.2 || 17.8 || 203 || 2,142 || 10.6 || 64 || 14 || 15.9 || 1.5 || 33 || 990 || 30.0 || 95 || 1 || 62 |}

====Playoffs==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |+NFL playoff career statistics |- !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Team !scope="colgroup" colspan="2"| Games !scope="colgroup" colspan="7"| Rushing !scope="colgroup" colspan="7"| Receiving !scope="col" rowspan="2"| {{Abbr|Fum|Fumbles}} |- !scope="col"| {{Abbr|GP|Games played}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|GS|Games started}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Att|Attempts}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Lng|Longest rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Y/G|Rushing yards per game}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|A/G|Average rushing yards per game}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Lng|Longest receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Y/G|Average receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|R/G|Average receptions per game}} |- !scope="row"| 1974<ref name="stats"/> | BUF | 1 || 1 || 15 || 49 || 3.3 || 11 || 0 || 49.0 || 15.0 || 3 || 37 || 12.3 || 25 || 1 || 37.0 || 3.0 || 0 |}

===College=== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" |+NCAA football statistics |- !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Season !scope="col" rowspan="2"| Team !scope="colgroup" colspan="4"| Rushing !scope="colgroup" colspan="4"| Receiving |- !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Att|Attempts}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average rushing yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Rec|Receptions}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|Avg|Average receiving yards}} !scope="col"| {{Abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}} |- !scope="row"|1967 |USC | 291 || 1,543 || 5.3 || 13 || 10 || 109 || 10.9 || 0 |- !scope="row"|1968 |USC | 383 || 1,880 || 4.9 || 23 || 26 || 211 || 8.1 || 0 |- !scope="row" colspan="2"| Totals<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-simpson-1.html |title= O.J. Simpson |publisher= Sports-Reference.com |access-date= May 3, 2019 |archive-date= December 18, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161218142916/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/oj-simpson-1.html |url-status= live }}</ref> ! 674 !! 3,423 !! 5.1 !! 36 !! 36 !! 320 !! 8.9 !! 0 |}

==Career highlights== ===Awards and honors=== '''NFL''' * NFL Most Valuable Player (1973) * NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1973) * 5× First-team All-Pro (1972–1976) * 5× Pro Bowl (1972–1976) * Pro Bowl MVP (1972) * AFL All-Star (1969) * AP Athlete of the Year (1973) * ''SN'' Athlete of the Year (1973) * Hickok Belt (1973) * 3× UPI AFC Offensive Player of the Year (1972, 1973, 1975) * 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976) * 2× NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1973, 1975) * NFL scoring leader ({{NFL Year|1975}}) * NFL 1970s All-Decade Team * NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team * NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team * Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame

'''College''' * National champion (1967) * Heisman Trophy (1968) * Maxwell Award (1968) * 2× Walter Camp Award (1967, 1968) * 2× UPI Player of the Year (1967, 1968) * ''SN'' Player of the Year (1968) * Chic Harley Award (1968) * 2× Unanimous All-American (1967, 1968) * 2× NCAA rushing yards leader (1967, 1968) * NCAA rushing touchdowns leader (1968) * NCAA scoring leader (1968) * W. J. Voit Memorial Trophy (1968) * Pop Warner Trophy (1968) * 2× First-team All-Pac-8 (1967, 1968) * USC Trojans No. 32 retired

'''Junior college''' * NJCAA All-American (1966)

===NFL records=== * Fastest player to gain 1,000 rushing yards in season: 1,025 in seven games in 1973 and 1,005 in seven games in 1975 (tied with Terrell Davis).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pfref.com/tiny/tSpDc |title=Player Game Finder Query Results |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105115549/https://stathead.com/tools/tiny.fcgi?id=tSpDc |url-status=live }}</ref> * Fastest player to gain 2,000 rushing yards in season: 2,003 in 14 games in 1973.<ref name="fox-14-game-record" /> * Most rushing yards per game in a season: 143.1 per game in 1973.<ref name="538-rushingseason-record">{{cite news |last1=Guglielmo |first1=Greg |title=O.J.'s Football Fame Was Mostly Based On Two Great NFL Seasons |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/o-j-s-football-fame-was-mostly-based-on-two-great-nfl-seasons/ |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=FiveThirtyEight |publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures |date=June 15, 2016 |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409215745/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/o-j-s-football-fame-was-mostly-based-on-two-great-nfl-seasons/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Acting career==

=== 1960s and 1970s === [[File:O.J. Simpson Chad Everett Medical Center 1969.JPG|thumb|upright=0.75|Simpson appearing on an episode of ''Medical Center'' in 1969]] Simpson began acting while at USC and appeared on ''Dragnet'' in an uncredited role as a potential recruit to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).<ref name="goldberg20140612">{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Haley |date=June 12, 2014 |title=The Hollywood career O.J. Simpson left behind |language=en-US |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-hollywoods-oj-simpson-before-the-white-bronco-20140612-story.html |access-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128053902/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-hollywoods-oj-simpson-before-the-white-bronco-20140612-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He became a professional actor before playing professional football, appearing in the first episode of ''Medical Center''—as Cicely Tyson's husband despite being 23 years her junior—while negotiating his contract with the Bills.{{r|carson19791219}}

Before Simpson's murder trial, sportswriter Ralph Wiley wrote in 2002, white people considered Simpson a "unifying symbol of all races". History professor Lou Moore said that this made Simpson the first Black athlete to be "put on".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Joel |date=2024-04-12 |title=The Key Detail Missing From the Narrative About O.J. and Race |url=https://slate.com/culture/2024/04/oj-simpson-dead-cancer-race-legacy-black-white-murder-nicole-brown.html |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413045326/https://slate.com/culture/2024/04/oj-simpson-dead-cancer-race-legacy-black-white-murder-nicole-brown.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1975, ''People'' magazine described Simpson as "the first [Black] athlete to become a bona fide lovable media superstar".<ref name="goodman19751013">{{Cite magazine |last=Goodman |first=Mark |date=October 13, 1975 |title=Buffalo Turns on the Juice, and O.J. Simpson Tramples the Pro Football Record Books |url=http://people.com/archive/buffalo-turns-on-the-juice-and-o-j-simpson-tramples-the-pro-football-record-books-vol-4-no-15/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721002848/http://people.com/archive/buffalo-turns-on-the-juice-and-o-j-simpson-tramples-the-pro-football-record-books-vol-4-no-15/ |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |access-date=July 2, 2017 |magazine=People |language=en-US}}</ref> Simpson avoided starring in blaxploitation films, choosing third or fourth lead roles while studying experienced stars like Lee Marvin and Richard Burton.{{r|cahill19770908}} His Hertz commercials from 1975 benefited Simpson's acting career, but he sometimes intentionally chose non-positive roles; "I've got to tear down that picture of O.J. Simpson, the clean-cut athlete, to get believability into whatever part I happen to be playing."{{r|crupi20160614}} He said in 1980 that "The Oscar or the Emmy says you've reached a level of competence in this business, and I would love to have one."{{r|goldberg20140612}}

While in the NFL, Simpson appeared in productions such as the television miniseries ''Roots'' (1977), and the dramatic motion pictures ''The Klansman'' (1974), ''The Towering Inferno'' (1974), ''The Cassandra Crossing'' (1977), and ''Capricorn One'' (1978).<ref name=":14" /><ref name=attwnin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ia1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6484%2C4515393 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=O. J. at 29 |date=January 19, 1977 |page=2B |access-date=May 8, 2024 |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509172917/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ia1VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuADAAAAIBAJ&pg=6484%2C4515393 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1979, he started his own film production company, Orenthal Productions, which dealt mostly in made-for-TV fare such as the family-oriented ''Goldie and the Boxer'' films with Melissa Michaelsen (1979 and 1981).<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-hollywoods-oj-simpson-before-the-white-bronco-20140612-story.html|title=The Hollywood career O.J. Simpson left behind|first=Haley|last=Goldberg|date=June 12, 2014|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 2, 2020|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128053902/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-hollywoods-oj-simpson-before-the-white-bronco-20140612-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson said that he did not seriously consider an acting career until seeing Marvin and Burton, while filming ''The Klansman'' in California, ordering chili from Chasen's via a private jet.{{r|carson19791219}} Simpson appeared in the audience of NBC's ''Saturday Night Live'' during its second season and hosted an episode during its third season.<ref>{{cite episode |title=OJ Simpson/Ashford & Simpson |url=http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/episodes/Show_84.shtml |series=Saturday Night Live |network=NBC |airdate=February 25, 1978 |season=3 |number=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080326163850/http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/episodes/Show_84.shtml |archive-date=March 26, 2008}}</ref> He was the second professional athlete to host the show.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |title=10 things to remember about OJ Simpson |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/sports/2024/04/11/10-things-about-oj-simpson |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=ny1.com |language=en |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430233803/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/sports/2024/04/11/10-things-about-oj-simpson |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 1980s === In 1987, Simpson also made a cameo in the comedy ''Back to the Beach''. He played Det. Nordberg in all three entries of ''The Naked Gun'' film trilogy (1988, 1991, 1994) alongside Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, and George Kennedy.<ref name=":16" /> Nordberg would get injured in a continuous series of gags.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Mather |first=Victor |date=2024-04-11 |title=The Life of O.J. Simpson: A Timeline |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/us/oj-simpson-timeline.html |access-date=2024-04-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415172334/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/us/oj-simpson-timeline.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Simpson was considered by director James Cameron to play the eponymous character in ''The Terminator'' (1984) when Schwarzenegger was cast as the character Kyle Reese, but Cameron ultimately cast Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, while Simpson had no involvement in the film.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger says O.J. Simpson was nearly cast in 'The Terminator' but producers didn't think he could 'be sold as a killing machine'|url=https://www.insider.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-oj-simpson-terminator-killing-machine-2023-6|website=Insider|last1=Jacobs|first1=Eammon|last2=Crosbie|first2=Eve|date=June 7, 2023|access-date=August 11, 2023|archive-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412055906/https://www.businessinsider.com/arnold-schwarzenegger-oj-simpson-terminator-killing-machine-2023-6|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's producers felt Simpson was "too nice" to be seen as a killer like the Terminator.<ref name=":23" />

===1990s=== Simpson starred in the un-televised two-hour-long film pilot for ''Frogmen'', an ''A-Team''-like adventure series that Warner Bros. Television completed in 1994, a few months before the two murders he was accused of. Simpson played the leader of a group of former United States Navy SEALs named John "Bullfrog" Burke who operated out of a surf shop in Malibu.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |date=2024-04-12 |title=How O.J. Simpson, a Busted Pilot and His Huge Network Supporter Loomed Over NBC Just as It Found 'Must-See TV' Success |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/oj-simpson-lost-pilot-frogmen-1235969108/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424080152/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/oj-simpson-lost-pilot-frogmen-1235969108/ |url-status=live }}</ref> NBC had not yet decided whether to order the series when Simpson's arrest canceled the project. NBC executive Preston Beckman collected each copy of ''Frogmen'' to ensure that no copy leaked to the media.<ref name=":22" /> While searching his home, the police obtained a videotaped copy of the pilot as well as the script and dailies. Although the prosecution investigated reports that Simpson received "a fair amount of" military training—including use of a knife—for ''Frogmen'', and there is a scene in which he holds a knife to the throat of a woman, this material was not introduced as evidence during the trial.<ref name="lowry20000508">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-08-ca-27673-story.html | title=The Saga of O.J.'s Last, Lost Pilot | access-date=April 5, 2011 | author=Lowry, Brian | date=May 8, 2000 | work=Los Angeles Times | archive-date=January 19, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119031654/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2000/may/08/entertainment/ca-27673 | url-status=live}}</ref>

NBC executive Warren Littlefield said in July 1994 that the network would probably never air the pilot if Simpson were convicted.<ref name="jicha19940727">{{cite news | url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-07-27/lifestyle/9407260286_1_littlefield-tv-movie-simpson-case | title=NBC May Bury Simpson TV Movie At Sea | work=Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel | date=July 27, 1994 | access-date=April 24, 2014 | author=Jicha, Tom | archive-date=April 26, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426215538/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-07-27/lifestyle/9407260286_1_littlefield-tv-movie-simpson-case | url-status=dead}}</ref> Most pilots that are two hours long are aired as TV movies whether or not they are ordered as series. Because—as the ''Los Angeles Times'' later reported—"the appetite for all things O.J. appeared insatiable" during the trial, Warner Bros. and NBC estimated that a gigantic, Super Bowl–like television audience would have watched the ''Frogmen'' film. In 2000, co-star Evan Handler – who would later go on to portray "Dream Team" member Alan Dershowitz in ''The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story'' – told the ''Los Angeles Times'' the studio's decision not to air it or release it on home video, and forego an estimated $14 million in profits, was "just about the only proof you have that there is some dignity in the advertising and television business."<ref name="lowry20000508"/>

===2000s=== In 2006, Simpson starred in his own improv-based hidden-camera prank TV show, ''Juiced''. Typical of the genre, Simpson would play a prank on everyday people while secretly filming them. At the end of each prank, he would shout, "You've been Juiced!" Each episode opened with half-dressed models dancing around Simpson, who is dressed as a pimp and performs his own rap song.<ref name=stampler_01182017/> In one episode, Simpson is at a used car lot in Las Vegas, where he attempts to sell a white Ford Bronco (the SUV model that became infamous during his 1994 police chase).<ref name=stampler_01182017>{{cite web |url=http://www.vogue.com/13393604/remembering-oj-simpsons-bizarre-prank-tv-show |title=Remembering O.J. Simpson's Bizarre Prank TV Show |last=Stampler |first=Laura |date=January 29, 2016 |work=Vogue |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009083943/http://www.vogue.com/13393604/remembering-oj-simpsons-bizarre-prank-tv-show/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news |last=Mydans |first=Seth |date=June 18, 1994 |title=The Fugitive: Simpson Is Charged, Chased, Arrested |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/us/the-simpson-case-the-fugitive-simpson-is-charged-chased-arrested.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107093504/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/18/us/the-simpson-case-the-fugitive-simpson-is-charged-chased-arrested.html |archive-date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=March 4, 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> A bullet hole in the front of the SUV is circled with his autograph, and he pitches it to a prospective buyer by saying that if they "ever get into some trouble and have to get away, it has escapability."<ref name=stampler_01182017/> In another sketch, Simpson pretends to be having an affair with another man's girlfriend. Later, he transforms into an old white man whose dying wish is to call a game of bingo. ''Juiced'' aired as a one-time special on pay-per-view television and was later released on DVD.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|title=Remember When O.J. Simpson Had a Prank Show Called 'Juiced'?|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/28/remember-when-o-j-simpson-had-a-prank-show-called-juiced.html|website=The Daily Beast|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=May 16, 2016|archive-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502192311/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/28/remember-when-o-j-simpson-had-a-prank-show-called-juiced.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Broadcasting career== Simpson worked as an NFL analyst on NBC from 1978 to 1982.<ref name=buffalo_07131989>{{cite news|title=NBC JUICES UP 'NFL LIVE' WITH SIMPSON|date=July 13, 1989|work=The Buffalo News|url=https://buffalonews.com/article_a2990dfd-bcf7-53a3-a413-c9b2b24c9fa5.html|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=April 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418222710/https://buffalonews.com/article_a2990dfd-bcf7-53a3-a413-c9b2b24c9fa5.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He joined ABC's ''Monday Night Football'' crew in 1983,<ref>{{cite web |title=History of ABC's Monday Night Football |url=http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/2003/0115/1493105.html |publisher=ESPN |date=January 15, 2003 |access-date=March 15, 2008 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023021304/http://espn.go.com/abcsports/mnf/s/2003/0115/1493105.html}}</ref> becoming the first black announcer on the network's No. 1 NFL broadcast team.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bryan|last=Curtis|title=O.J. Simpson Lived and Died in Infamy, Never Out of the Spotlight|date=April 11, 2024|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/media/2024/4/11/24127895/oj-simpson-death-obituary-murder-trial-media-spotlight|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=April 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417000017/https://www.theringer.com/media/2024/4/11/24127895/oj-simpson-death-obituary-murder-trial-media-spotlight|url-status=live}}</ref> For Super Bowl XIX during the 1984 season, ABC moved Simpson to its pregame show, replacing him in the broadcast booth with active player Joe Theismann, who had played in the previous two Super Bowls.<ref name=horovitz_06151994/><ref name=brulia_265>{{cite journal|first=Tim|last=Brulia|title=A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 3|journal=The Coffin Corner|volume=26|issue=5|url=https://profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1045.pdf|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531053952/https://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1045.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson continued his ''Monday Night Football'' announcing duties in 1985 before being dropped after the season.<ref name=buffalo_07131989/><ref name=brulia_265/> In 1989, he rejoined NBC to replace Ahmad Rashad as an analyst on their ''NFL Live!'' pregame show.<ref name=buffalo_07131989/><ref name=horovitz_06151994>{{cite news|first=Bruce|last=Horovitz|title=Simpson Ads Opened Door to Endorsements by Athletes|date=June 15, 1994|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-mn-4395-story.html|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=April 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416131614/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-mn-4395-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After he was accused of his ex-wife's murder, Simpson was replaced by Rashad in 1994.<ref>{{cite news|first=Bernard|last=Fernandez|title=A host of changes|date=September 2, 1994|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|page=122|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/145584445/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=April 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418222711/https://www.newspapers.com/article/philadelphia-daily-news/145584445/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Tim|last=Brulia|title=A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 4|journal=The Coffin Corner|volume=26|issue=6|url=https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-06-1049.pdf|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906092408/https://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-06-1049.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Endorsements== [[File:Hyde Soit-Bilt Shoes Advertising OJ Simpson Boys Life magazine November 1976 (12834380273).jpg|thumb|Simpson in a 1976 advertisement for Spot-Bilt shoes]] Chuck Barnes helped Simpson form business relationships with Chevrolet and ABC early in his football career. By 1971, the magazine ''New York'' wrote that Simpson was already wealthy enough to "retire this week if [he] wanted to."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A-MCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 |title=The Third Annual Permanent Retirement of Joe Namath |last=Axthelm |first=Pete |date=July 19, 1971 |work=New York |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415040610/https://books.google.com/books?id=A-MCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47 |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning in 1975, he appeared in advertisements with the Hertz rental car company. Commercials depicted Simpson running through airports (embodying speed), as others shouted to him the Hertz slogan "Go, O.J., Go!".<ref name="swisher19940710">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/07/10/oj-and-hertz-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-rent-a-star/fcee117c-d7c1-442c-a46a-da3f3e797488/ |title=O.J. and Hertz: The rise and fall of a rent-a-star |last=Swisher |first=Kara |date=July 10, 1994 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427213611/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/07/10/oj-and-hertz-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-rent-a-star/fcee117c-d7c1-442c-a46a-da3f3e797488/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the first Black man to be hired for a major corporate national advertising campaign,<ref name=":10" /> a unique decision for a conservative, dominant corporation to fend off its rival, No. 2 Avis.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jim|last=O'Donnell|title=O.J. should have sat out the final two quarters of his shattered, battering life|date=April 14, 2024|newspaper=Daily Herald|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20240414/pro-sports/jim-odonnell-o-j-should-have-sat-out-the-final-two-quarters-of-his-shattered-battering-life/|access-date=April 18, 2024|archive-date=April 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415200446/https://www.dailyherald.com/20240414/pro-sports/jim-odonnell-o-j-should-have-sat-out-the-final-two-quarters-of-his-shattered-battering-life/|url-status=live}}</ref> Besides helping his acting career, Simpson estimated that the very successful "superstar in rent-a-car" campaign raised the recognition rate among people he met from 30% to 90%.{{r|cahill19770908}} Hertz's annual profit increased by 50% to $42.2 million within the first year, brand awareness increased by more than 40%,<ref name="crupi20160614">{{Cite magazine |last=Crupi |first=Anthony |date=June 14, 2016 |title=The Run of His Life: How Hertz and O.J. Simpson Changed Advertising |url=https://adage.com/article/media/run/304487 |magazine=Advertising Age |language=en |access-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-date=July 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722074457/https://adage.com/article/media/run/304487 |url-status=live }}</ref> and 97% of viewers understood that the commercials advertised Hertz, avoiding the common "vampire video" problem{{r|cahill19770908}} of viewers remembering an ad, but not which brand it promotes. Simpson was so important to the company that CEO Frank Olson personally negotiated his contract, and Hertz used him for an unusually long time for a celebrity endorser. Although Simpson appeared less often in Hertz commercials by the late 1980s, his relationship with the company continued; Simpson was to travel to Chicago to meet with Hertz executives and clients on the night of the Brown-Goldman murder.{{r|swisher19940710}}

Simpson used his amiable persona,<ref name="knight20190617">{{cite web |last=Knight |first=Molly |date=June 17, 2019 |title=Remembering O.J. Simpson's Bronco chase and the call that... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1029893/2019/06/17/remembering-o-j-simpsons-bronco-chase-and-the-call-that-saved-his-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721154110/https://theathletic.com/1029893/2019/06/17/remembering-o-j-simpsons-bronco-chase-and-the-call-that-saved-his-life/ |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |access-date=July 21, 2020 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> good looks, and charisma in many endorsement deals.<ref name="swisher19940710" /> ''Advertising Age'' in 1977 named Simpson the magazine's Star Presenter of the Year;{{r|crupi20160614}} by 1984, consumer research found that he was the most popular athlete endorser. A 1990s MCI Communications commercial starring Eunice Simpson satirized her son's work.{{r|swisher19940710}} Other products Simpson endorsed included Pioneer Chicken, Honey Baked Ham, TreeSweet orange juice, Calistoga Water Company's line of Napa Naturals soft drinks, and Dingo cowboy boots. As president and CEO of O. J. Simpson Enterprises, he owned hotels and restaurants. When Simpson and Brown divorced in 1992, he had $10 million in assets and more than $1 million in annual income, including $550,000 from Hertz.{{r|swisher19940710}}

== Marriages to Marguerite Whitley and Nicole Brown == [[File:O.J. Simpson and family, 1970 (cropped).jpg|thumb|240x240px|Simpson, Marguerite Whitley, and their daughter Arnelle at their home in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, in 1970]]

On June 24, 1967, Simpson married Marguerite L. Whitley. Together, they had three children: Arnelle L. Simpson (b. 1968), Jason Lamar Simpson<ref>{{cite web |title=Florida voters, SIMPSON, JASON ELLIS thru Simpson, Jenna Renee |url=https://flvoters.com/pages/s108468.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190616134535/https://flvoters.com/pages/s108468.html |archive-date= 2019-06-16|website=flvoters.com |publisher=Tom Alciere}}</ref> (b. 1970), and Aaren Lashone Simpson (1977–1979). In August 1979, Aaren fatally drowned in the family's swimming pool.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 28, 1979 |title=Simpson's youngest daughter dies after 8 days in coma |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=alYnAAAAIBAJ&pg=6787,3455914&dq=aaren+simpson&hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413071737/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=alYnAAAAIBAJ&pg=6787%2C3455914&dq=aaren+simpson&hl=en |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |work=St. Petersburg Times |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Larry |title=L.A. story |url=http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016477.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190023/http://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016477.html |archive-date=January 31, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref>

Marguerite declined to testify at the trial on behalf of Simpson. According to LAPD Officer Terry Schauer and his partner Richard Deandra, when she and Simpson were married, they got a call from Marguerite, who alleged that Simpson was physically violent towards her. She refused to press charges against him.<ref>{{cite web |title=O.J. Simpson 'Struck' Ex-Wife Marguerite, 'Pulled Out Some of Her Hair,' Cop Says in Nicole Brown Simpson Doc |url=https://people.com/o-j-simpson-struck-ex-wife-marguerite-pulled-out-some-of-her-hair-cop-claims-in-nicole-brown-simpson-doc-8656171 |work=People}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Margolick |first1=David |date=January 18, 1995 |title=Documents Released by Court Give Account of Simpson Violence Against First Wife |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/18/us/documents-released-by-court-give-account-of-simpson-violence-against-first-wife.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In an interview with Barbara Walters in 1995, Marguerite denied allegations that a police officer responded to a domestic violence call during her marriage to Simpson, telling Walters the alleged incident was not true and that she never made a police report. "Never—never did. I just found out about this, after 21 years."<ref name="MargueriteInterviewJet">{{cite web |date=13 Feb 1995 |title=Jet |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jDkDAAAAMBAJ&dq=marguerite+thomas+barbara+walters&pg=PA51 |language=en|via=Google Books}}</ref> Marguerite addressed rumors that she was a battered woman during her marriage to Simpson, stating, "If he did, he would have got a frying pan upside his head. There was just no way that I would allow that to happen to me."<ref name="MargueriteInterviewJet"/> She also expressed her belief in Simpson's innocence and denied rumors that their son Jason helped commit the murders. "Oh God, it's not something O.J. would do. It's not—you know, it's just not something either one of them would do," she said.<ref name="BarbaraWaltersInterview">{{cite web |date=13 Feb 1995|title=Jet |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jDkDAAAAMBAJ&dq=marguerite+thomas+barbara+walters&pg=PA65 |language=en |via=Google Books}}</ref>

left|thumb|289x289px|Simpson with his daughter, Sydney Brooke, in Hawaii in 1986

Simpson met Nicole Brown in 1977 while she was working as a waitress at a Beverly Hills nightclub called The Daisy.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 2, 1985 |title=CNN O.J. Simpson Trial News: The Victims |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/victims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121054245/http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/victims/ |archive-date=November 21, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 6, 1994 |title=Cici Shahian {{pipe}} Nicole Simpson was dominated by her husband since she was a teen-ager |url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-07-06/news/1994187107_1_brown-simpson-nicole-brown-nicole-simpson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201213218/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-07-06/news/1994187107_1_brown-simpson-nicole-brown-nicole-simpson |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |work=The Baltimore Sun}}</ref> Although still married to his first wife, Simpson began dating Brown. Simpson and Marguerite divorced in March 1979.<ref>{{cite news |last=Richardson |first=Lynda |date=June 29, 1994 |title=No Reports of Violence By Simpson's First Wife |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/29/us/no-reports-of-violence-by-simpson-s-first-wife.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920202418/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/29/us/no-reports-of-violence-by-simpson-s-first-wife.html |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Gibbs">{{cite book |last=Gibbs |first=Jewelle Taylor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x4SRAAAAMAAJ |title=Race and justice: Rodney King and O.J. Simpson in a house divided |date=September 4, 1996 |publisher=Jossey-Bass |isbn=978-0-7879-0264-3 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214165525/https://books.google.com/books?id=x4SRAAAAMAAJ |archive-date=February 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|pages=126–28}} During the 1984 Summer Olympics torch relay, Simpson carried the torch on Santa Monica's California Incline road, running behind Brown.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Bill |date=2016-08-11 |title=Olympics Flashback: When O.J. Simpson Carried the Torch in L.A. |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/1984-flashback-oj-simpson-carried-918168/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817233158/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/1984-flashback-oj-simpson-carried-918168/ |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Brown and Simpson were married on February 2, 1985, five years after his retirement from professional football.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lange |first1=Tom |url=https://archive.org/details/evidencedismisse00lang/page/115 |title=Evidence Dismissed: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of O. J. Simpson |author2=Moldea, Dan E. |author-link2 = Dan E. Moldea |author3=Vannatter, Philip |publisher=Pocket Books |year=1997 |isbn=0-671-00959-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/evidencedismisse00lang/page/115 115]}}</ref> The couple had two children, Sydney Brooke Simpson (b. 1985) and Justin Ryan Simpson (b. 1988).<ref>{{cite web |title=Child custody decision |url=http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/new_docs/custody.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110000200/http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/new_docs/custody.html |archive-date=January 10, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2009 |publisher=courttv.com}}</ref> The marriage lasted seven years.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal |date=February 6, 1995 |title=Judge Allow Evidence of Domestic Violence In O.J. Simpson Murder Case |journal=Jet |volume=87 |issue=13 |page=51 |issn=0021-5996}}</ref>

According to Sheila Weller, "[Simpson and Brown] were a dramatic, fractious, mutually obsessed couple before they married, after they married, after they divorced in 1992, and after they reconciled."<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Weller, Sheila |date=June 12, 2014 |title=How O.J. and Nicole Brown's Friends Coped with Murder in Their Midst |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/style/scandal/2014/06/sheila-weller-oj-simpson-murder |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610080430/http://www.vanityfair.com/style/scandal/2014/06/sheila-weller-oj-simpson-murder |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2016 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> In the June 3, 2024 edition of ''People'', Brown's sister Denise stated that Simpson was at times volatile to Brown early into their relationship, including on one occasion in 1977 where he "flipped out" and "had her upstairs in the bathroom crying. He said, 'You embarrassed me.{{'"}} after seeing Nicole kiss a mutual male friend on the cheek after she and her family went to upstate New York to attend a Buffalo Bills game which Simpson was playing in.<ref name="brownfamilyspeaks">{{cite news |last1=Rubenstein |first1=Janine |last2=Acosta |first2=Nicole |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Nicole Brown Simpson's Sisters Break Their Silence Over O.J.'s Death: 'It's Very Complicated' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/nicole-brown-simpson-sisters-react-oj-simpson-death-exclusive-8652081 |access-date=May 22, 2024 |work=People}}</ref>

Brown claimed that by the end of 1989, police had visited her and Simpson's house eight times for domestic violence calls, and they did not help her in any of them.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Revisiting the O.J. Simpson Trial: A Look Back at the Infamous Case, Key Players and Verdict |url=https://people.com/revisiting-oj-simpson-trial-case-verdict-8576296 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411192506/https://people.com/revisiting-oj-simpson-trial-case-verdict-8576296 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> On December 31, she phoned the police, saying that she thought he was going to kill her. She was found by officers hiding in the bushes outside their home, "badly beaten and half-naked." Authorities said Simpson had "punched, slapped, and kicked" her. Simpson sped away from the officers in his car, but eventually he pleaded no contest to spousal abuse.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=OJ Simpson's slow-speed chase on June 17, 1994 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/04/11/ap-was-there-oj-simpsons-slow-speed-chase/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411172349/https://www.ocregister.com/2024/04/11/ap-was-there-oj-simpsons-slow-speed-chase/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":25">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-14 |title=Opinion : Never forget — Nicole Brown Simpson's murder redefined our understanding of domestic violence |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-14/nicole-brown-simpson-oj-simpson-lapd-domestic-violence |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Simpson was given two years' probation, 120 hours of community service, and he had to donate $500 to a battered women's shelter.<ref name=":25" /> Brown filed for divorce on February 25, 1992, citing irreconcilable differences.<ref name="Gibbs" />{{rp|page=136}} This was after finding out about an alleged year-long affair Simpson had had with model Tawny Kitaen.<ref name=":5" />

Reports suggest that in 1993, Brown and Simpson made an attempt at reconciliation.<ref name=":1" /> That October, Brown called the police to report Simpson being violent again after he allegedly found a photo of a man Brown had dated while they were broken up.<ref name=":5" /> Again, officers intervened.<ref name=":15" /> A family friend claimed that Simpson had told Brown's friends that if he ever "caught her with anyone, he would kill her."<ref name=":1" /> Brown's friend Kris Jenner claimed Brown at one point told her, "Things are really bad between O.J. and I, and he's going to kill me, and he's going to get away with it."<ref name=":25" /> The two broke up again, seemingly permanently, in May 1994.<ref name=":5" /> According to Brown's sister Tanya, on the night she was murdered, Nicole told their mother Juditha while dining out together at the Mezzaluna restaurant, that Simpson would always be her soulmate.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/interviews/a33954/nicole-brown-simpsons-sister-remembers-the-real-nicole/| title= This is the Nicole Brown Simpson You Won't See On FX's New Drama| date= February 10, 2016|website=www.elle.com|last=Marshall|first=Sarah|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228085335/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/interviews/a33954/nicole-brown-simpsons-sister-remembers-the-real-nicole/|archive-date=December 28, 2025}}</ref> In total, prosecutors for Simpson's murder trial found 62 incidents of abusive behavior by Simpson towards Brown.<ref name=":15" /> News reporting regarding these incidents led to California enforcing its 1986 laws protecting domestic violence victims more. Hertz continued to air its commercials with Simpson.<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title='I'm gonna O.J. you': How the Simpson case changed perceptions — and the law — on domestic violence |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-13/la-me-oj-domestic-violence |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In a 1996 book, former maid Bethy Vaquerano alleged that Brown was racist and had been physically abusive towards Simpson.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americantragedyu00schi |title=American Tragedy: The Uncensored Story of the Simpson Defense |last=Schiller |first=Lawrence |date=October 16, 1996 |publisher=Random House |isbn=9780679456827 |edition=1st |language=English |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Schiller|1996|pages=282}}</ref> In a 1997 book, Simpson's niece Terri Baker said Brown could be very insulting to people when she was angry and that she observed Brown insulting and slapping Simpson in the past.<ref>{{Cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DQELAAAACAAJ |title= I'm Not Dancing Anymore|last=Baker |first=Terri|date=1997 |publisher= Kensington Publishing Corporation |isbn=1575662566|edition=1st |language=English |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/BOOKS-Even-Simpson-s-Niece-Tells-Story-Terri-2807168.php| title= BOOKS -- Even Simpson's Niece Tells Story / Terri Baker recalls violence at O.J.'s| work= SFGate}}</ref>

==Legal history==

=== 1994 arrest for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman === {{Multiple image |total_width = 300 | image1 = Officers at OJ crime scene 2.jpg | image2 = Mug shot of O.J. Simpson.jpg | caption1 = Police officers searching Nicole Brown Simpson's condo for evidence in June 1994 | caption2 = O.J. Simpson's mug shot, June 17, 1994 }} {{main|Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman|White Bronco chase}}

Shortly after midnight on June 13, 1994,<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=10 Classic Images That Explain the O.J. Simpson Trial |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/10-images-explain-oj-simpson-trial/story?id=24058030 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001234032/https://abcnews.go.com/US/10-images-explain-oj-simpson-trial/story?id=24058030 |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found stabbed to death in the courtyard outside Brown's condo, in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Police determined the murders had taken place on the night of the 12th. Goldman had been there to return to Brown a pair of glasses that her mother had lost earlier that day. The knife used was never found. Simpson was an immediate person of interest in their murders, and there was never any other suspect found. He maintained that on the 12th, he had been at home, waiting for a limousine to take him to an airport for a flight to Chicago. After police gathered all the evidence, charges were filed and a warrant was signed for Simpson's arrest.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8" />

Simpson, in agreement with his attorneys, was scheduled to turn himself in at approximately 11:00 a.m. to the Parker Center police headquarters on the morning of June 17. Simpson failed to turn himself in, and he later became the subject of a low-speed pursuit (on the 405 Freeway) by police while riding as a passenger in a white 1993 Ford Bronco SUV,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-11 |title=How the O.J. Simpson murder case changed trials forever |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/how-the-oj-simpson-murder-case-changed-trials-forever-202514696.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413153058/https://www.yahoo.com/news/how-the-oj-simpson-murder-case-changed-trials-forever-202514696.html |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="rovell_06132016">{{cite news |last=Rovell |first=Darren |date=June 13, 2016 |title=The tale of the notorious white Bronco |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16186847/the-curious-tale-al-cowlings-notorious-white-bronco |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415185336/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16186847/the-curious-tale-al-cowlings-notorious-white-bronco |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> a vehicle owned and being driven by his former teammate and longtime friend Al Cowlings.<ref name="rovell_06132016" /> According to Cowlings, Simpson was armed in the back of the vehicle with a pistol, holding it to his head and threatening to shoot himself if he was not taken back to his Brentwood estate. This caused the responding California Highway Patrol officers to pursue with extreme caution.<ref name=":2" /> [[File:FORD-Bronco.jpg|left|thumb|300x300px|A fifth-generation Ford Bronco similar to the model driven by Al Cowlings]] Police closed the nearby highways. At one point, Simpson tried to call sportscaster Bob Costas, with whom he had worked before and had a good relationship, but was unable to reach him.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bensinger |first1=Graham |title=O.J. Simpson to Bob Costas during prison visit: You did it! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3iLSqyM9vM|website=youtube.com |publisher=grahambensinger.com |language=en |format=video |date= February 23, 2022|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> As Cowlings rode, Simpson's lawyer Robert Kardashian publicly released a letter from him, saying: "Don't feel sorry for me ... I've had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person."<ref name=":15" /> The Bronco ride lasted more than 2 hours, until 8 pm, when Simpson and Cowlings arrived at Simpson's Brentwood home, and negotiations for surrender began.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winton |first1=Richard |title=O.J. Simpson, the white Bronco and a freeway chase that changed L.A. forever|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-04-11/o-j-simpson-bronco-freeway-chase-los-angeles#:~:text=Driven%20by%20Simpson's%20boyhood%20friend%20and%20former,Brown%20Simpson%2C%20and%20her%20friend%20Ronald%20Goldman.|website=Los Angeles Times |language=en |date=April 11, 2024|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> He was arrested shortly before 9 pm.<ref name=":1" />

The chase was shown on "nearly every live television station."<ref name=":17" /> Stations interrupted coverage of the 1994 NBA Finals to broadcast the incident live. With an estimated audience of 95 million people, the event was described as "the most famous ride on American shores since Paul Revere's."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gilbert |first1=Geis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xdbQMywnrdwC&q=Simpson+Bronco+most+famous+ride+since+Paul+Revere&pg=PA174 |title=Crimes of the century: from Leopold and Loeb to O.J. Simpson |last2=Bienen |first2=Leigh B. |publisher=Northeastern University Press |year=1988 |isbn=978-1-55553-360-1 |page=174 |access-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415025717/https://books.google.com/books?id=xdbQMywnrdwC&q=Simpson+Bronco+most+famous+ride+since+Paul+Revere&pg=PA174 |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Tens of thousands of people gathered on Los Angeles streets and highways to view the chase.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=April 11, 2024 |title=What O.J. Simpson meant to Black America |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-racial-divisions-murder-trial/ |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> The incident likely increased sales of the Ford Bronco by an additional 7,000 purchases in 1994 compared to 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grisham |first=Lori |title=For Ford's Bronco, O.J. Simpson chase may have helped sales |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/06/17/the-bronco-brand-after-oj/10257945/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228204617/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/06/17/the-bronco-brand-after-oj/10257945/ |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

Many advocates for victims of domestic violence consider Brown's death as instrumental in Congress prioritizing the passage of the Violence Against Women Act. The act, passed in September 1994, created the National Domestic Violence Hotline.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Rachel Louise |date=2024-04-12 |title=Opinion {{!}} What the O.J. Trial Taught America About Domestic Violence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/12/opinion/oj-simpson-domestic-violence.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413063301/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/12/opinion/oj-simpson-domestic-violence.html |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

=== 1995 criminal trial for murder === {{main|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson}} {{Further|Criminal procedure in California}}

==== Background ==== [[File:Clarashortridgefoltzcriminaljusticecenter.JPG|thumb|The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, where the trial took place]] The pursuit, arrest, and trial of Simpson were among the most widely publicized events in American history. Simpson's integrated defense counsel team, named the "Dream Team",<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Knoll |first1=Corina |last2=Hubler |first2=Shawn |last3=Cowan |first3=Jill |date=April 12, 2024 |title=In Los Angeles, the O.J. Simpson Case Defined a Turbulent Era |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/us/oj-simpson-los-angeles.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412012440/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/us/oj-simpson-los-angeles.html |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> included Kardashian, Johnnie Cochran, Robert Shapiro, F. Lee Bailey, and Alan Dershowitz. The prosecution for the State of California was led by Marcia Clark and Christopher A. Darden.<ref name=":15" /><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Toobin |first1=Jeffrey |date=January 9, 2016 |title=True Grit |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/01/09/true-grit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830174217/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1995/01/09/true-grit |archive-date=August 30, 2018 |access-date=October 24, 2016 |magazine=The New Yorker |page=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=March 18, 2016 |title=O.J.Simpson prosecutor: 'His murder trial ruined my life—but 20 years on I'm back' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/work/oj-simpson-prosecutor-his-murder-trial-ruined-my-life---but-20-y/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024052327/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/work/oj-simpson-prosecutor-his-murder-trial-ruined-my-life---but-20-y/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 24, 2016 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> The judge was Lance Ito. The trial ran from January to October 1995,<ref name=":15" /> making it the longest trial in California history.<ref name=":12" /> The jury sequestered for 266 days, also the longest in California history. It ended up including 10 Black people in a 12-person jury.<ref name=":15" />

The trial was often characterized as the "trial of the century" because of its international publicity, likened to that of Sacco and Vanzetti and the Lindbergh kidnapping.<ref name="dershowitz2004">{{cite book |last=Dershowitz |first=Alan M. |author-link=Alan Dershowitz |url=https://archive.org/details/americaontrialin00ders/page/514 |title=America on trial: inside the legal battles that transformed our nation |date=May 2004 |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=0-446-52058-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americaontrialin00ders/page/514 514]}}</ref> It was televised via a remote-control camera installed above the jury box, and it increased public interest in reality television and understanding of DNA evidence.<ref name=":26" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nicoll |first=Ruaridh |date=2024-04-13 |title=The day they set OJ Simpson free – and left America in turmoil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/13/the-day-they-set-oj-simpson-free-and-left-america-in-turmoil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413113459/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/13/the-day-they-set-oj-simpson-free-and-left-america-in-turmoil |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 15, 2024 |title=After O.J. Simpson's trial, an insatiable appetite for reality TV |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/2024/04/14/oj-simpson-reality-tv/ |access-date=April 16, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> It influenced the creation of the LAPD's DNA crime lab, and California added Section 1109 to the state's Evidence Code, "allowing uncharged conduct and other evidence of prior abuse to be shown to jurors in similar cases."<ref name=":26" /> Minor figures in the trial became celebrities, such as the resident of Simpson's guesthouse at the time of the murders, Kato Kaelin.<ref name=":17" />

In 1995, while waiting to appear before a jury for his trial hearing, Simpson published the book ''I Want to Tell You: My Response to Your Letters, Your Messages, Your Questions'', which was intended to be a "self-portrait of [his] mind at this critical time", and included letters he had received while incarcerated.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Story of O.J. Simpson's Controversial Book, If I Did It, And Why It Was Canceled And Later Released |url=https://people.com/the-story-of-oj-simpsons-book-if-i-did-it-8630142 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412081439/https://people.com/the-story-of-oj-simpsons-book-if-i-did-it-8630142 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> It was produced with Lawrence Schiller.<ref name=":15" />

==== Prosecution and defense cases ==== Before the trial began, it was discovered the police investigation had been flawed: "Photo evidence had been lost or mislabeled; DNA had been collected and stored improperly, raising a possibility that it was tainted."<ref name=":15" />

Prosecutors provided DNA evidence, including both victims' blood being found in Simpson's car, Brown's blood being found on Simpson's socks, and hair and clothing fibers consistent with Simpson, Brown, and Goldman, as well as fibers from a 1993–94 Ford Bronco and Brown's dog, being found on a black leather glove recovered from Simpson's home.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title='If It Doesn't Fit, You Must Acquit': Everything About the Infamous Piece of Evidence in O.J. Simpson's Trial |url=https://people.com/oj-simpson-everything-to-know-about-infamous-glove-trial-8630341 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412081132/https://people.com/oj-simpson-everything-to-know-about-infamous-glove-trial-8630341 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}</ref> The other glove in the pair was found at Brown's condo. The defense claimed that the glove found at Brown's condo did not fit Simpson's hand. In response, prosecutors theorized that Simpson had not been taking anti-inflammatory medications for his arthritis, which would make his hand swell if he tried to put on the glove during the trial. Johnnie Cochran informed Judge Ito the next day that Shawn Chapman contacted the Los Angeles County Jail doctor, who confirmed Simpson was taking his arthritis medication every day, and that the jail's medical records verified this.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles California; Friday, June 23, 1995 9:00 am |url=https://simpson.walraven.org/jun23.html|website=simpson.walraven.org|access-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222055/https://simpson.walraven.org/jun23.html|archive-date=September 9, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BrianHeiss">{{cite web|title= O.J. and the Gloves : The Truth About What Really Happened|url= https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=T034CB8p7Rg|via=YouTube |year= 2016|language=en}}</ref> Cochran claimed during the defense's closing argument, "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit."<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":7" /> The phrase became famous in popular culture.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-11 |title=From football hero to murder suspect: An O.J. Simpson photo timeline |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/football-hero-murder-suspect-oj-simpson-timeline-rcna147430 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190815/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/football-hero-murder-suspect-oj-simpson-timeline-rcna147430 |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-17 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Prosecutors also raised concerns that because the glove had been soaked in blood, and was repeatedly frozen and thawed before the trial, that it would have shrunk. Cochran denied this claim. When Simpson tried the glove on in court, he struggled to put it on. ''People'' magazine wrote that the moment was crucial to his eventual acquittal.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7" /> Richard Rubin, vice president of the gloves' manufacturer, Aris Isotoner Inc., testified that a new pair of the gloves' model would have fit Simpson.<ref>{{cite news |last=McDermott |first=Anne |date=September 12, 1995 |title=Expert: Simpson's gloves match evidence |url=http://edition.cnn.com/US/OJ/daily/9-12/6pm/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530044534/http://edition.cnn.com/US/OJ/daily/9-12/6pm/index.html |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Clayborne |first=William |date=September 12, 1995 |title=Expert Says Photos Match Trial Gloves |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/09/13/expert-says-photos-match-trial-gloves/08c593b6-c445-4906-a36a-73a6c4733d6f/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418021149/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1995/09/13/expert-says-photos-match-trial-gloves/08c593b6-c445-4906-a36a-73a6c4733d6f/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 17, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

The trial came in the context of multiple incidents involving the Los Angeles criminal justice system in the previous years. In 1991, Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old Black girl, was shot in the head by store owner Soon Ja Du, who accused her of stealing a bottle of orange juice. A jury convicted Du of voluntary manslaughter, but a judge only sentenced her to probation. Also in 1991, four police officers allegedly beat Rodney King, a Black man; in 1992, all of the officers were acquitted. These incidents led to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-14 |title=Opinion {{!}} The irony of O.J. Simpson being a wedge between Black and white Americans |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/oj-simpson-racial-divide-lapd-rcna147569 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415180936/https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/oj-simpson-racial-divide-lapd-rcna147569 |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-16 |publisher=MSNBC |language=en}}</ref>

{{Quote box | title = ''The Los Angeles Times'', August 30, 1995<br>"Fuhrman Tapes Aired: a Recital of Racism, Wrath" | quote = "'You've got 200 niggers who are trying to take you prisoner," [[Mark Fuhrman|[Mark] Fuhrman]] said in one interview ... [He was] asked whether he had probable cause to arrest black suspects. 'Probable cause?' Fuhrman responded. 'You're God.' ... Fuhrman boasted of fabricating evidence against suspects and expressed amazement about the racial makeup of the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire Division. ... 'Wilshire Division is all niggers. All niggers, nigger training officers, niggers.'" | align = right | width = 40% }}

The defense alleged that the crime scene had been compromised, and presented audiotape recordings of Mark Fuhrman, an officer who was at the scene and collected evidence, repeatedly using the racial slur "nigger" in an interview with an aspiring screenwriter. Fuhrman was later charged with perjury for lying about not saying the slur, and pleaded no contest.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Jim |date=2024-04-11 |title=Opinion: How Rodney King helped O.J. Simpson win a not-guilty verdict |url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-11/oj-simpson-rodney-king-lapd-nicole-brown-simpson-ron-goldman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412200615/https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-11/oj-simpson-rodney-king-lapd-nicole-brown-simpson-ron-goldman |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> This added to the popular perception that LAPD officers were racist, which worked against the police reforms being made by the city of Los Angeles since the beating of Rodney King.<ref name=":13" />

The trial created a public discourse on race relations, motivated by Bailey and Cochran's cross-examination of Fuhrman over the tapes. It "divided the nation" along racial lines; white people were more likely to believe in Simpsons' guilt, while Black people were more likely to believe in his innocence. Many believed Simpson was being set up by the police,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=In death, 3 decades after his trial verdict, O.J. Simpson still reflects America's racial divides |url=https://apnews.com/article/oj-simpson-racial-divides-trial-verdict-ead0b750caabfe86fa0cd047efc313b8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412163317/https://apnews.com/article/oj-simpson-racial-divides-trial-verdict-ead0b750caabfe86fa0cd047efc313b8 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> taking into consideration the LAPD's history of corruption, the acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King, and that Fuhrman, who found the glove at Simpson's home, entered the home without a search warrant. The defense argued that Fuhrman had planted the glove.<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson's trial divided the nation. What legacy does he leave behind? |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/04/11/1198911229/oj-simpson-trial-football-nicole-brown-ronald-goldman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411213315/https://www.npr.org/2024/04/11/1198911229/oj-simpson-trial-football-nicole-brown-ronald-goldman |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> MSNBC's Charles F. Coleman Jr. wrote in 2024 that "Black people didn't love O.J. Simpson, they hated the LAPD."<ref name=":18" /> Jim Newton wrote for the ''Los Angeles Times'' that "the effect [of the defense's focus on Fuhrman] on the jury was inescapable."<ref name=":13" />

"On the evidence that they gave me to evaluate, it was crooked by the cops," juror David Aldana said in an interview.<ref name=nbclosangeles>{{cite web |title= "Did He Do It? Maybe, Maybe Not": Simpson Juror Speaks Out|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/oj-simpson-juror-speaks-evidence-david-aldana/1994410/?amp=1|website=nbclosangeles.com | date=June 12, 2014 |language=en}}</ref> "The evidence given to me to look at, I could not convict. Did he do it? Maybe, maybe not."<ref name=nbclosangeles/> Juror Sheila Woods denied the jury's decision was based on race in an interview with ''Vulture''.<ref name=vulture>{{cite web |title= An O.J. Juror on What The People v. O.J. Simpson Got Right and Wrong|url= https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/oj-juror-people-v-oj-simpson-right-and-wrong.html|website=vulture.com |date= April 6, 2016|language=en}}</ref> When asked if she believed Simpson was framed, Woods stated, "I don't know if he was necessarily framed. I think O.J. may know something about what happened, but I just don't think he did it. I think it was more than one person, just because of the way she was killed."<ref name=vulture/> In an interview with CNN following Simpson's death, juror Yolanda Adams said she was still comfortable with her decision to render a not guilty verdict and denied the verdict was based on payback for Rodney King, citing the reasonable doubt in the case presented by the defense and the actions of the police officers involved in the case, such as Mark Fuhrman pleading the fifth when he was asked if he planted or manufactured any evidence against Simpson.<ref name=youtube>{{cite web |title= Juror from OJ murder trial: I've always been comfortable with my decision |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWW0RTEUAYo|via=YouTube | date=April 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Verdict and aftermath ==== ''The New York Times'' wrote that "in the end, it was the defense that had the overwhelming case, with many grounds for reasonable doubt, the standard for acquittal."<ref name=":15" /> The trial culminated after 11 months on October 3, 1995, when the jury rendered a verdict of "not guilty" for the two murders.<ref name="dershowitz2004" /> Around 100 to 150 million people nationwide tuned in to watch or listen to the verdict announcement.<ref name=":26" /><ref name="dershowitz2004" /> The jury deliberation lasted three hours. By the end, the trial produced "126 witnesses, 1,105 items of evidence and 45,000 pages of transcripts." Simpson was released after 474 days in custody.<ref name=":15" />

Immediate reaction to the verdict was known for its division along racial lines: a poll of Los Angeles County residents showed that most African Americans there felt justice had been served by the verdict, while the majority of whites and Latinos opined that it had not.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Decker |first1=Cathleen |date=October 8, 1995 |title=THE TIMES POLL: Most in County Disagree With Simpson Verdicts |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-08-mn-54801-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116120627/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-10-08/news/mn-54801_1_times-poll |archive-date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2015 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> NBC News wrote that "Black residents in parts of Los Angeles spilled out onto the street, cheering and passing celebratory drinks", and that similar scenes happened across the country.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=To many Black Americans, the O.J. Simpson verdict was bigger than O.J. Simpson |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/oj-simpson-trial-verdict-black-americans-rcna147414 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412205513/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/oj-simpson-trial-verdict-black-americans-rcna147414 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> In 1994, 22% of Black respondents to a poll believed Simpson was guilty, as opposed to 63% of white people.<ref name=":9" /> A 2016 poll showed that 57% of Black Americans and 83% of white Americans believed Simpson was guilty.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Janell |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Two decades later, black and white Americans finally agree on O.J. Simpson's guilt |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/25/black-and-white-americans-can-now-agree-o-j-was-guilty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722135241/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/09/25/black-and-white-americans-can-now-agree-o-j-was-guilty/ |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> This change was partially caused by the verdict of Simpson's later civil trial.<ref name=":9" />

At various points after the acquittal, the portion of a mural in Potrero Hill which featured Simpson in his 49ers uniform was vandalized by splashes of red paint, and devil horns which were put on his head; he was eventually painted out of the mural.<ref name=":24" />

Following Simpson's acquittal, no additional arrests or convictions related to the murders were made. He maintained his innocence in subsequent media interviews.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson, football legend acquitted of notorious killings, dies at 76 |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/04/11/1244097564/oj-simpson-football-nicole-brown-ronald-goldman-white-bronco |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411150702/https://www.npr.org/2024/04/11/1244097564/oj-simpson-football-nicole-brown-ronald-goldman-white-bronco |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=NPR|last=Lewis|first=Russell|last2=Sullivan|first2=Becky|last3=Bowman|first3=Emma}}</ref> In May 2008, Simpson's associate Mike Gilbert claimed that Simpson had admitted his role as the murderer, saying he used the knife that Brown was holding when she opened her condo's door for him that night, and that he had stopped taking his arthritis medicine so his hands would swell in court.<ref name="espn">{{Cite web |date=11 May 2008 |title=Former Simpson friend claims O.J. admitted to killing his wife |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=3390691 |access-date=2025-08-02 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801012948/https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=3390691|archive-date=2025-08-01}}</ref> During the trial, Johnnie Cochran informed Judge Ito that Shawn Chapman contacted the Los Angeles County Jail doctor, who confirmed Simpson was taking his arthritis medication every day, and that the jail's medical records verified this.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles California; Friday, June 23, 1995 9:00 am |url=https://simpson.walraven.org/jun23.html|website=simpson.walraven.org|access-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909222055/https://simpson.walraven.org/jun23.html|archive-date=September 9, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BrianHeiss"/>

In his 2008 book ''How I Helped O.J. Get Away with Murder,'' and a 2025 docuseries, Simpson's former sports agent Mike Gilbert revealed that he once asked Simpson what really happened with Nicole, telling Simpson that he had always suspected Simpson was guilty. Simpson allegedly responded: "If Nicole wouldn't have opened the door with a knife, she would still be alive."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jensen |first=Erin |title=New O.J. Simpson docuseries explores evidence never seen in the 'trial of the century' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2025/01/29/oj-simpson-new-docuseries-netflix-manhunt/77969480007/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref> Simpson's then-lawyer Yale L. Galanter said none of Gilbert's claims were true, and that Gilbert is "a delusional drug addict who needs money."<ref name="espn" /> Galenter refused to allow Simpson to comment directly to Gilbert because of Simpson's concurrent robbery trial.<ref name="espn" />

=== 1996–1997 wrongful death civil trial === {{Further|Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Civil trial}} {{Infobox court case | name = Rufo vs. Simpson | court = Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles | image = Seal of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles.png | imagesize = 150px | imagelink = | imagealt = | caption = Seal of the Court | full name = | date decided = February 5, 1997 | verdict = Simpson liable for the wrongful death of and battery against Goldman, and battery against Brown | citations = SCO31947 | ECLI = | transcripts = | judges = Hiroshi Fujisaki | number of judges = | decision by = | concurring = | dissenting = | concur/dissent = | prior actions = | appealed from = | appealed to = | subsequent actions = | related actions = | opinions = | keywords =  | italic title = no }}

Following Simpson's acquittal of criminal charges, Goldman and Brown's families filed a civil lawsuit against Simpson. Daniel Petrocelli represented plaintiff Fred Goldman (Ronald Goldman's father), while Robert Baker represented Simpson.<ref name="Civil Case">{{cite news |date=September 16, 1996 |title=The O.J. Simpson Civil Case |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/16/simpson.case/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318145015/http://www.cnn.com/US/9609/16/simpson.case/ |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Superior Court Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki presided,<ref name="Civil Case" /> and he barred television and still cameras, radio equipment, and courtroom sketch artists from the courtroom.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 23, 1996 |title=Judge bars cameras in courtroom for Simpson civil trial |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9608/23/simpson.cameras/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619172655/http://www.cnn.com/US/9608/23/simpson.cameras/index.html |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The trial excluded discussion of racial issues, which were considered "inflammatory and speculative."<ref name=":15" />

On October 23, 1996, opening statements were made, and on January 16, 1997, both sides rested their cases.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 11, 2014 |title=Timeline: OJ Simpson Murder, Civil Trials |url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Timeline-OJ-Simpson-Murder-Civil-Trials-262363251.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224094535/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Timeline-OJ-Simpson-Murder-Civil-Trials-262363251.html |archive-date=February 24, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016 |work=NBC Southern California}}</ref> On February 5, 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, California, unanimously found Simpson liable for the wrongful death of and battery against Goldman, and battery against Brown. (The Brown family had not filed a wrongful death claim.)<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1997 |title=Civil Jury Finds Simpson Liable in Pair of Killings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/05/us/civil-jury-finds-simpson-liable-in-pair-of-killings.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107184459/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/05/us/civil-jury-finds-simpson-liable-in-pair-of-killings.html |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Simpson was ordered to pay $33,500,000 in damages: $8.5 million in compensatory damages to the Goldman family, and $12.5 million in punitive damages to each family.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Stephanie |date=February 11, 1997 |title=Simpson Verdict: $25 Million : Punitive Damages Bring Total to $33.5 Million |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-11-mn-27600-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114220039/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-11-mn-27600-story.html |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> His net worth at the time was $11 million.<ref name=":15" />

In 1997, Simpson defaulted on his mortgage at the home in which he had lived for 20 years, at 360 North Rockingham Avenue, and the lender foreclosed the property. In July 1998, the house was demolished by its next owner, Kenneth Abdalla, an investment banker and president of the Jerry's Famous Deli chain.<ref>{{cite news |author=Tribune News Services |date=July 30, 1998 |title=New Owner Demolishes O.J. Simpson Mansion |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/07/30/new-owner-demolishes-oj-simpson-mansion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504201216/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1998-07-30/news/9807300184_1_nicole-simpson-and-goldman-bundy-drive-condominium-ronald-goldman |archive-date=May 4, 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2016 |work=The Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In February 1999, an auction of Simpson's Heisman Trophy and other belongings netted almost $500,000, which went to the Goldman family.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 22, 1999 |title=O.J.'S Heisman Sold |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,615340,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310172410/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,615340,00.html |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=March 7, 2016 |magazine=People}}</ref> The Goldman family also tried to collect Simpson's NFL $28,000 yearly pension,<ref>{{cite news |date=September 18, 2007 |title=No easy answers |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_mccann/09/18/hearings |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216050608/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_mccann/09/18/hearings/ |archive-date=February 16, 2011 |access-date=January 17, 2011 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> but failed to collect any money.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 30, 1997 |title=Judge Rules Simpson's Mother Can Keep Piano |url=http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/ojsimpson.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213051600/http://www.courttv.com/casefiles/simpson/ojsimpson.html |archive-date=February 13, 2008}}</ref>

In July 2017, after Simpson was granted parole, Ron Goldman's father Fred inquired about the real estate purchases made by Sydney and Justin Simpson, Brown's children with Simpson. David Cook, a lawyer for Fred Goldman, said he would seek bank records and depositions to follow the Simpson children's money trail and see if any of the homes were bought with their father's cash, which could make them eligible for a clawback. "The kids' loss is no greater than Fred's, but Fred's loss should be no greater than theirs," Cook said.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/oj-simpsons-kids-raise-eyebrows-real-estate-ventures-210824156.html| title=O.J. Simpson's Kids Raise Eyebrows With Real Estate Ventures| website=Yahoo | date=31 July 2017 }}</ref> In June 2022, Fred alleged in court papers (intended to keep the wrongful death and battery judgment viable) that Simpson owed $96 million due to significant interest generated on the initial order to pay damages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2022 |title=O.J. Simpson currently owes Ron Goldman's estate $96 million |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/06/26/o-j-simpson-currently-owes-ron-goldmans-estate-96-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627072755/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/06/26/o-j-simpson-currently-owes-ron-goldmans-estate-96-million/ |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022 |website=ProFootballTalk}}</ref>

On November 17, 2025, it was reported that the Simpson Estate agreed for pay nearly $58 million to Goldman's father to settle the civil claim, but it rejected the $117 million claim that was originally sought.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Ed |title=OJ Simpson estate accepts $58M claim from Goldmans but payment would be a fraction |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oj-simpsons-estate-accepts-58m-claim-goldman-family-127605142 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

===Other legal issues=== In the late 1990s, Simpson attempted to register "O. J. Simpson", "O. J.", and "The Juice" as trademarks for "a broad range of goods, including figurines, trading cards, sportswear, medallions, coins, and prepaid telephone cards."<ref>''Ritchie v. Simpson'', 170 F.3D 1092 (C.A.F.C., 1999)</ref> A "concerned citizen", William B. Ritchie, sued to oppose the granting of federal registration on the grounds that doing so would be immoral and scandalous.<ref name="latimes-miami-court">{{cite news |date=October 10, 2001 |title=O.J. Simpson Back in Court in Florida |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-10-mn-55548-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411203413/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-10-mn-55548-story.html |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |agency=Reuters}}</ref>

In February 2001, Simpson was arrested in Miami-Dade County, for simple battery and burglary of an occupied conveyance, for pulling the glasses off another motorist during a traffic dispute three months earlier. If convicted, Simpson could have faced up to 16 years in prison, but he was tried and quickly acquitted of both charges in October.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Catherine |date=October 25, 2001 |title=Jury clears O.J. Simpson of road-rage charges |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jury-clears-oj-simpson-of-roadrage-charges-632646.html |access-date=November 25, 2009 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London, UK |agency=Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=OJ Simpson, who died at 76, had series of legal run-ins during time in South Florida |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/state/miami-dade/oj-simpson-obit-south-florida |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411213955/https://www.wptv.com/news/state/miami-dade/oj-simpson-obit-south-florida |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm |language=en}}</ref>

On December 4, 2001, Simpson's Florida home was searched by the FBI on suspicion that he was possessing MDMA or engaged in money laundering; they had received a tip that he was part of a major drug trafficking ring the agency was investigating. The investigation had thus far led to the arrests of ten suspects. The home was thoroughly searched for two hours, and no illegal drugs were found. Afterwards, Simpson was neither arrested nor charged in relation to the trafficking investigation.<ref name=":27">{{cite news |date=December 4, 2001 |title=O.J. Simpson's Home Searched By FBI |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oj-simpsons-home-searched-by-fbi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020420091840/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/06/06/national/main202915.shtml |archive-date=April 20, 2002 |access-date=December 26, 2014 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref> However, the FBI did find equipment that allowed for the pirating of satellite radio signals broadcast by satellite television network DirectTV—hypothetically giving a TV set owned by Simpson free access to the radio frequencies of cable TV channels only legally offered by DirectTV through a paid subscription. In March 2004, DirectTV accused Simpson in a Miami federal court of using illegal electronic devices to pirate its broadcast signals. During the ensuing legal case, it presented the court evidence which the FBI had gathered in the search. In July 2005, the company won a $25,000 judgment, and Simpson was ordered to pay an additional $33,678 in attorney's fees and costs.<ref name=":27" /><ref>{{cite news |date=July 26, 2005 |title=O.J. Simpson loses DirecTV piracy case: Ordered to pay $25,000 for using illegal devices to get satellite TV signals |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna8719276 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611053957/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8719276 |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |access-date=October 4, 2008 |publisher=NBC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DirecTV gets default judgment in O.J. suit |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/05/01/directv-gets-default-judgment-in-oj-suit/28803358007/ |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2002, Simpson was arrested in Miami-Dade County for water speeding through a manatee protection zone and failing to comply with proper boating regulations.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 26, 2002 |title=O.j. Fights Boating Citation |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/manatee-zone |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129173246/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/manatee-zone |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |work=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref> The misdemeanor boating regulation charge was dropped, and Simpson was fined for the speeding infraction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 2002 |title=O.J. Simpson Arrest Warrant Withdrawn |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-07-na-oj7-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306053101/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/07/nation/na-oj7 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

In 2007, the state of California said that Simpson owed $1.44 million in back taxes.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 17, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson among those on California tax shame list |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1733575520071018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218155241/http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1733575520071018 |archive-date=February 18, 2009 |access-date=October 4, 2008 |work=Reuters}}</ref> A tax lien was filed in his case in September 1999.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 19, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson Makes California Tax Delinquent List |url=http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=25735&pg=newsarticles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226100131/http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=25735&pg=newsarticles |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |access-date=December 26, 2014 |publisher=WebCPA}}</ref>

=== ''If I Did It'' book (2006) === {{Main|If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer}} In 2006, publisher ReganBooks had planned to release Simpson's book ''If I Did It'', which was supposed to be his account of how he would hypothetically kill Brown and Goldman.<ref name=":6" /> Arnelle Simpson testified in a deposition that she and Van Exel, president of Raffles Entertainment and Music Production, came up with the idea for the book and pitched it to her father in an attempt to make money.<ref name="abcnews.go.com">{{cite web|title=ABC News Exclusive: 'If I Did It': O.J's Daughter's Idea|url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3282110&page=1|publisher=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2021-01-03|archive-date=2021-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317015242/https://abcnews.go.com/amp/TheLaw/story?id=3282110&page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> She testified that her father thought about it and eventually agreed to the book deal.<ref name="abcnews.go.com" /> Simpson stated:<ref name="abcnews.go.com" /> <blockquote>"I have nothing to confess. This was an opportunity for my kids to get their financial legacy. My kids understand. I made it clear that it's blood money, but it's no different than any of the other writers who did books on this case."</blockquote>

In Simpson's hypothetical scenario, he has an unwilling accomplice named "Charlie" who urges him to not engage with Nicole, whom Simpson plans to "scare the shit out of."<ref name="Truth_Merciless">{{Cite book |last=Truth_Merciless |url=http://archive.org/details/OJSimpsonIfIDidIt |title=OJ Simpson – If I Did It}}</ref> Simpson ignores Charlie's advice and continues to Nicole's condo, where he finds and confronts Ron Goldman. According to the book, Nicole falls and hits her head on the concrete, and Goldman crouches in a karate pose. As the confrontation escalates, Simpson writes, "Then something went horribly wrong, and I know ''what'' happened, but I can't tell you ''how''."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Linder |first=Douglas O. |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Famous Trials: "IF I Did It": The Quasi-Confession of O. J. Simpson |url=https://famous-trials.com/simpson/1858-ifididit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112090636/https://famous-trials.com/simpson/1858-ifididit |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=Famous Trials by Professor Douglas O. Linder |publisher=UMKC School of Law}}</ref> He writes that he regained consciousness later with no memory of the actual act of murder:<ref name="Truth_Merciless" /><blockquote>

"Nicole. Jesus. I looked down and saw her on the ground in front of me, curled up in a fetal position at the base of the stairs, not moving. Goldman was only a few feet away, slumped against the bars of the fence. He wasn't moving either. Both he and Nicole were lying in giant pools of blood. I had never seen so much blood in my life. It didn't seem real, and none of it computed." (p. 81)</blockquote>Pablo Fenjves, a screenwriter and prosecution witness at Simpson's 1995 trial, ghostwrote the book based on interviews with Simpson.<ref>{{cite web |last=Spavlik |first=Janet |date=May 1, 2008 |title=The Corner Office: He Did It |url=https://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/eric-kampmann-president-beaufort-books-published-one-book-other-publishers-wouldnt-touch-he-talks-he-decided-bring-oj-simpsons-controversial-and-8220-if-i-did-itand-8221-market-106021/all/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803195701/https://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/eric-kampmann-president-beaufort-books-published-one-book-other-publishers-wouldnt-touch-he-talks-he-decided-bring-oj-simpsons-controversial-and-8220-if-i-did-itand-8221-market-106021/all/ |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 3, 2018 |work=Book Business}}</ref> The publishing deal allegedly started when ReganBooks employee Judith Regan received a phone call from Simpson's lawyers, who said he was ready to confess to the murders. Regan claimed the word "If" was put in the title so that Simpson would have plausible deniability when his children read the book, because "he couldn't tell them that he had done it." The book was scheduled for release in November 2006, but was cancelled beforehand due to public outcry.<ref name=":6" /> A scheduled TV interview with Fox was also cancelled.<ref name=":15" />

In September 2006, Goldman's father took Simpson back to court to obtain control over Simpson's "right to publicity", for purposes of satisfying the judgment in the civil court case.<ref name="spending">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070305235730/http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/02/08/simpson.lawsuit.ap/index.html "O.J. Simpson ordered to stop spending"]. CNN. May 3, 2007.</ref> He claimed that Simpson was advanced $1 million for the book deal and interview, and that they were made to "cheat the family" of the damages owed.<ref name=":15" /> In January 2007, a federal judge issued a restraining order prohibiting Simpson from spending any advance he may have received on the book deal and interview. The matter was dismissed before trial for lack of jurisdiction.<ref name="spending" /> A California state judge also issued an additional restraining order, ordering Simpson to restrict his spending to "ordinary and necessary living expenses."<ref name="spending" /> In March, a judge prevented Simpson from receiving any further compensation from the book deal and TV interview, ordering the bundled book rights to be auctioned.<ref>{{cite news |author=Steve Gorman |date=March 27, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson book rights to be auctioned in April |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-simpson-royalties/o-j-simpson-book-rights-to-be-auctioned-in-april-idUSN2722683420070327 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008031221/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-simpson-royalties/o-j-simpson-book-rights-to-be-auctioned-in-april-idUSN2722683420070327 |archive-date=October 8, 2021 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |work=Reuters}}</ref> In August, a Florida bankruptcy court awarded the book rights to the Goldman family, to partially satisfy the unpaid civil judgment. The family published the first edition of the book later that year, and they renamed it to ''If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer''. They also reduced the word "If" in size to such an extent that it appears within the large red "I" in the title, making the title appear to read ''I Did It: Confessions of the Killer''. Additional material was added by the Goldmans, Fenjves, and investigative journalist Dominick Dunne.<ref name="IF">{{cite book |last=The Goldman Family |url=https://archive.org/details/ifididitconfessi00simp_0 |title=If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer |publisher=Beaufort Books |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8253-0588-7 |access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":6" />

===2007 Las Vegas robbery=== {{Main|O. J. Simpson robbery case}}

[[File:Palace Station, Las Vegas NV.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Palace Station in Las Vegas, where the robbery took place]] On the night of September 13, 2007, a group of men led by Simpson entered a room at the Palace Station hotel-casino in Las Vegas, and took sports memorabilia at gunpoint, which resulted in Simpson being questioned by police.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 16, 2007 |title=Las Vegas P.D. summary and excerpts of 9/14/07 interview with Simpson |url=http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012155113/http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt5.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=September 18, 2007 |work=FindLaw}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 16, 2007 |title=Las Vegas P.D. summary and excerpts of 9/15/07 interview with Alexander |url=http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402230616/http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2007 |work=FindLaw}}</ref> Simpson admitted to taking the items, which he said had been stolen from him, but denied breaking into the hotel room; he also denied that he or anyone else carried a gun.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 14, 2007 |title=Police: Simpson cooperating in armed robbery probe |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/14/simpson/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914204943/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/14/simpson/index.html |archive-date=September 14, 2007 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 14, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson a Suspect in Casino 'Armed Robbery' |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296758,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918012348/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,296758,00.html |archive-date=September 18, 2007 |access-date=September 14, 2007 |publisher=Fox News}}</ref> He was initially released after questioning.<ref name="abc-robbery-2017">{{cite news |date=July 14, 2017 |title=O.J. Simpson accomplices reveal how 2007 Vegas hotel room meeting escalated into botched robbery |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-accomplices-reveal-2007-vegas-hotel-room/story?id=48627950 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220195357/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-accomplices-reveal-2007-vegas-hotel-room/story?id=48627950 |archive-date=February 20, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=ABC News}}</ref>

Two days later, Simpson was arrested,<ref name="arrest">{{cite web |date=September 16, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson's Arrest Report: State of Nevada v. Orenthal James Simpson, et al. |url=http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402230616/http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/nvoj91607arrstrpt.html |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=FindLaw}}</ref> and he was initially held without bail.<ref name="Vegas Tape">{{cite news |last=Nakashima |first=Ryan |date=September 17, 2007 |title=Apparent tape released of O.J. in Vegas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-16-3123706429_x.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722135626/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-16-3123706429_x.htm |archive-date=July 22, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2017 |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Along with three other men, Simpson was charged with multiple felony counts, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and aggravated assault.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 18, 2007 |title=State of Nevada v. O.J. Simpson, et al. |url=http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/ojnv91807cmp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929071218/http://news.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/oj/ojnv91807cmp.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |access-date=September 18, 2007 |work=FindLaw}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 17, 2007 |title=OJ Simpson faces break-in charges |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6997950.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215074041/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6997950.stm |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |access-date=September 17, 2007 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Bail was set at $125,000, with stipulations that Simpson have no contact with the co-defendants and that he surrender his passport. Simpson did not enter a plea.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 19, 2007 |title=Judge sets $125K bail for O.J. Simpson |url=https://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3623936 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203195855/http://www.abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3623936 |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2007 |work=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=September 19, 2007 |title=Simpson's Bail Set at $125,000 |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1663383,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112160349/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0%2C8599%2C1663383%2C00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics |archive-date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=September 19, 2007 |magazine=Time}}</ref> By the end of October 2007, all three of Simpson's co-defendants had plea-bargained with the prosecution in the Clark County, Nevada, court case. Walter Alexander and Charles H. Cashmore accepted plea agreements in exchange for reduced charges and their testimony against Simpson and three other co-defendants, including testimony that guns were used in the robbery.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2007 |title=Three plead guilty |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/15/oj.simpson/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017041851/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/15/oj.simpson/index.html#cnnSTCText |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Co-defendant Michael McClinton told a Las Vegas judge that he too would plead guilty to reduced charges and testify against Simpson that guns were used in the robbery.<ref name="cbs-mcclinton">{{cite news |date=November 13, 2007 |title=O.J.'s Former Co-Defendants Set To Testify – CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ojs-former-co-defendants-set-to-testify/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411203421/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ojs-former-co-defendants-set-to-testify/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=CBS News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> After the hearings, the judge ordered that Simpson be tried for the robbery.<ref name="cnn-simpson-standing-trial">{{cite news |date=November 14, 2007 |title=Judge orders Simpson to stand trial |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/14/simpson.hearing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127014518/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/14/simpson.hearing/ |archive-date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

On November 8, 2007, Simpson had a preliminary hearing to decide whether he would be tried for the charges. He was held over for trial on all 12 counts. Simpson pleaded not guilty on November 29, with an initial setting for trial in April 2008, although it was soon set for September to give the defense more time for their case.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 28, 2007 |title=O.J. Simpson pleads not guilty to 12 felony charges |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/28/simpson.hearing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130233150/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/11/28/simpson.hearing/ |archive-date=November 30, 2007 |access-date=January 5, 2022 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 7, 2008 |title=O.J. Simpson trial delayed to September |url=https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2008/03/07/oj-simpson-trial-delayed-to-september/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120061335/https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2008/03/07/oj-simpson-trial-delayed-to-september/ |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021}}</ref> In January 2008, Simpson was taken into custody in Florida and was extradited to Las Vegas, where he was incarcerated at the Clark County jail for violating the terms of his bail by attempting to contact co-defendant Clarence "C. J." Stewart. District Attorney David Roger of Clark County provided District Court Judge Jackie Glass with evidence that Simpson had violated his bail terms. A hearing took place on January 16. Glass raised Simpson's bail to US$250,000 and ordered that he remain in county jail until 15 percent was paid in cash.<ref>[http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/tag/oj-simpson/ "O.J. Simpson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417071521/http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/tag/oj-simpson/|date=April 17, 2013}}. ''Hollywood Grind''.</ref> Simpson posted bond that evening and returned to Miami the next day.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 17, 2008 |title=Day After Judge's Scolding, O.J. Flies Home |url=http://cbs5.com/national/Simpson.posts.bail.2.631865.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20080515131147/http://cbs5.com/national/Simpson.posts.bail.2.631865.html |archive-date=May 15, 2008|publisher=KPIX-TV |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

The trial began on September 8, 2008, in the court of Nevada District Court Judge Jackie Glass, before an all-white jury,<ref>[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/all-white-jury-seated-oj-simpson-las-vegas-trial-article-1.325129 All-white jury seated in OJ Simpson's Las Vegas trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418202448/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/all-white-jury-seated-oj-simpson-las-vegas-trial-article-1.325129|date=April 18, 2023}} – ''NY Daily News'', September 11, 2008</ref> in stark contrast to Simpson's earlier murder trial.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 9, 2008 |title=O. J. Simpson's trial postponed until September |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKKIM93007320080309 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208210113/http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKKIM93007320080309 |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |access-date=June 4, 2010 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Simpson and his co-defendant were found guilty of all charges on October 3.<ref name="guilty">{{cite news |date=October 3, 2008 |title=Simpson guilty of robbery, kidnap charges |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27010657 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002194455/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27010657/ |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |publisher=NBC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On October 10, Simpson's counsel moved for a new trial (''trial de novo'') on grounds of judicial errors and insufficient evidence.<ref name="appeals">[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/us/11brfs-SIMPSONAPPEA_BRF.html?ref=us "Nevada: Simpson Appeals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701045734/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/us/11brfs-SIMPSONAPPEA_BRF.html?ref=us|date=July 1, 2017}}. ''The New York Times''. October 11, 2008.</ref> Simpson's attorney announced he would appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court if Judge Glass denied the motion.<ref name="appeals" /> The attorney for Simpson's co-defendant, C. J. Stewart, petitioned for a new trial, alleging Stewart should have been tried separately and cited possible misconduct by the jury foreman.<ref name="appeals" /><ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/10/simpson.newtrial/ "O.J. Simpson's lawyers request another trial"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014040024/http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/10/simpson.newtrial/|date=October 14, 2008}}. CNN. October 10, 2008.</ref><ref>Ritter, Ken. [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUNgbOr-2bnpFUX0MiII6je2CkRAD93NV7580 "OJ Simpson seeks new robbery trial in Las Vegas"]. Associated Press. October 10, 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015154925/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iUNgbOr-2bnpFUX0MiII6je2CkRAD93NV7580|date=October 15, 2008}}</ref> [[File:Lovelock Correctional Center 16 55 15 448000 (cropped).jpeg|left|thumb|300x300px|Lovelock Correctional Center in Pershing County, Nevada, in 2023]] Simpson faced a possible life sentence with parole on the kidnapping charge, and mandatory prison time for armed robbery.<ref>[http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/11/1220456-oj-simpson-jailed-on-bail-violation?category=sports "O. J. Simpson Held on Bail Violation".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519104546/http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/11/1220456-oj-simpson-jailed-on-bail-violation?category=sports|date=May 19, 2011}} Associated Press. January 11, 2008.</ref> On December 5, 2008, Simpson was sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-12-05 |title=O.J. Simpson sentenced to long prison term |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28067187 |access-date=2024-07-16 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> with the possibility of parole after nine years, in 2017.<ref name="sentence">{{cite news |last=Friess |first=Steve |date=December 5, 2008 |title=Simpson Sentenced to at Least 9 Years in Prison |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/us/06simpson.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131122017/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/us/06simpson.html |archive-date=January 31, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2008 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In September 2009, the Nevada Supreme Court denied a request for bail during Simpson's appeal. In October 2010, the Nevada Supreme Court affirmed his convictions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Martinez |first=Michael |date=October 22, 2010 |title=O.J. Simpson loses appeal in Las Vegas armed robbery trial |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/22/nevada.oj.simpson.court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210012/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/22/nevada.oj.simpson.court/ |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=October 22, 2010 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> He served his sentence at the Lovelock Correctional Center as inmate 1027820.<ref>[http://167.154.2.76/inmatesearch/form.php Offender detail: O. J. Simpson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619193905/http://167.154.2.76/inmatesearch/form.php|date=June 19, 2016}}. Nevada Department of Corrections. Retrieved April 28, 2016. (enter inmate ID 1027820 to find details)</ref> He worked as a gym janitor there.<ref name=":21" />

A Nevada judge agreed in October 2012, to "reopen the armed robbery and kidnapping case against O. J. Simpson to determine if the former football star was so badly represented by his lawyers that he should be freed from prison and get another trial."<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 2012 |title=Judge decides to reopen case against OJ Simpson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/10/19/oj-simpson-case-reopened-robbery-nevada/1645719/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711210123/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/10/19/oj-simpson-case-reopened-robbery-nevada/1645719/ |archive-date=July 11, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2017 |work=USA Today}}</ref> A hearing was held beginning May 2013, to determine if Simpson was entitled to a new trial.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 2013 |title=OJ To Get Vegas Court Hearing On Bid For New Trial |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182787688 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511152348/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=182787688 |archive-date=May 11, 2013 |access-date=May 12, 2013 |publisher=NPR |agency=Associated Press |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In November, Judge Linda Bell denied Simpson's bid for a new trial on the robbery conviction. In her ruling, Bell wrote that all Simpson's contentions lacked merit.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 27, 2013 |title=O. J. Simpson denied new trial: why such appeals almost never work |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/1127/O.J.-Simpson-denied-new-trial-why-such-appeals-almost-never-work |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813042658/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/1127/O.J.-Simpson-denied-new-trial-why-such-appeals-almost-never-work |archive-date=August 13, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref>

==== 2017 paroled release from prison ==== On July 31, 2013, the Nevada parole board granted Simpson parole on some convictions, but his imprisonment continued based on the weapons and assault convictions. The board considered Simpson's prior record of criminal convictions and good behavior in prison in coming to the decision.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bacon |first1=John |date=July 31, 2013 |title=O.J. Simpson wins parole—but not freedom |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/31/oj-simpson-parole/2603497/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801132109/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/31/oj-simpson-parole/2603497/ |archive-date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2013 |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref> At his parole hearing on July 20, 2017, the board decided to grant Simpson parole, with certain parole conditions such as travel restrictions, non-contact with co-defendants from the robbery, and not drinking excessively. He was released on October 1, having served almost nine years.<ref>Peter, Josh (July 18, 2017). [https://apnews.com/cd367bba76c64894b7f8d535a5ceef02/The-Latest:-Parole-board-set-to-decide-OJ-Simpson's-fate "The Latest: OJ Simpson granted parole in Nevada robbery"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415060134/https://apnews.com/cd367bba76c64894b7f8d535a5ceef02/The-Latest%3A-Parole-board-set-to-decide-OJ-Simpson%27s-fate|date=April 15, 2021}}. Associated Press.</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=July 20, 2017 |title=OJ Simpson granted parole after serving nine years of armed robbery sentence |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/20/oj-simpson-parole-granted-prison-release-october |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720225748/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/20/oj-simpson-parole-granted-prison-release-october |archive-date=July 20, 2017 |access-date=July 21, 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In December 2021, Simpson was granted an early discharge from parole by the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation, for good behavior.<ref name="news3lv-parole-release">{{cite web |date=December 14, 2021 |title=O.J. Simpson granted early discharge from parole in Nevada |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/oj-simpson-granted-early-discharge-from-parole-in-nevada |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129003246/https://news3lv.com/news/local/oj-simpson-granted-early-discharge-from-parole-in-nevada |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=September 13, 2023 |website=news3lv.com}}</ref>

== Personal life == In 1995, after his acquittal for murder, Simpson began a relationship with Christie Prody which lasted for 13 years. At the time their relationship started, Prody was 19 years old and working as a cocktail waitress. After their relationship ended, Prody stated that she often feared for her life during the relationship.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 15, 2009 |title=O.J. Simpson's Ex-Girlfriend Christine Prody Said She Feared for Her Life |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/oj-simpson-believes-murdered-nicole-brown-simpson/story?id=8586025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222231749/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/oj-simpson-believes-murdered-nicole-brown-simpson/story?id=8586025 |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 20, 2007 |title=The Woman Behind O.J. Simpson Sticks With Him |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3628369&page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222231749/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3628369&page=1 |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |publisher=ABC News}}</ref>

To avoid paying the judgement he received in his 1997 civil trial, Simpson sought refuge in Florida, one of few states where pensions and residences cannot generally be seized to collect debts.<ref name="chicagotribune-florida-debts">{{cite news |last1=Royko |first1=Mike |date=March 4, 1997 |title=LEGAL SWAMP MAKES FLORIDA A PERFECT HOME FOR O.J. |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/03/04/legal-swamp-makes-florida-a-perfect-home-for-oj/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411203619/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/03/04/legal-swamp-makes-florida-a-perfect-home-for-oj/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=Chicago Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> In 2000, he purchased a home in Miami-Dade County, {{convert|20|mi}} south of Miami.<ref name=":3" /> He "struggled to remake his life, raise his children, and stay out of trouble", and lived off pensions from the NFL, Screen Actors Guild, and other sources. He sent two of his children to prep school and college.<ref name=":15" /> After his release from prison in 2017, Simpson joined Twitter, and gained a following of 800,000 followers by the time of his death.<ref name=":17" />

After Simpson retired from football, he began playing golf, which was a "constant" in his life before and after the acquittal. He often played in both the Los Angeles area and (after he moved to Florida) the Miami area. He played with professional golfers like Arnold Palmer, until they stopped associating with him around the time of his murder trial. Afterwards, however, he still played with notable people like Michael Jordan. Simpson's membership at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles was suspended, so he started playing at Rancho Park when in that city. ''Sports Illustrated'' reported in 1997 that other golfers did not want him in their presence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bamberger |first=Michael |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson's golf obsession a curious footnote in complicated life |url=https://golf.com/news/oj-simpson-golf-obsession-complicated/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412160728/https://golf.com/news/oj-simpson-golf-obsession-complicated/ |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Golf Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson lived in Miami. See photos of him around town, on golf course, in court |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article287586945.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412160224/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article287586945.html |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=The Miami Herald}}</ref>

=== Claims of Simpson having CTE === [[File:Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.png|thumb|A normal human brain (left) and one with advanced CTE (right)]] Bennet Omalu, the doctor who discovered chronic traumatic encephelopathy (CTE), a disease which causes progressive neurodegeneration in the human brain, said in 2016 that he would "bet [his] medical license" that Simpson had the disease. CTE, which can only be diagnosed within patients postmortum, is caused by repeated incidents of blunt trauma, such as concussions, that result in head injuries. Thus, it is occassionally found in players of American football, who frequently collide heads during maneuvers such as tackles.<ref name=":28" /><ref name=":29" /> Patients with advanced CTE are more likely to engage in impulsive, violent behavior than others. Omalu noted that Simpson had received thousands of blunt force impacts to his head during his career, and Omalu said this was the reason he thought Simpson had CTE—not Simpson's alleged violent impulses behind murdering Brown and Goldman, which Omalu said could not be caused by CTE alone.<ref name=":28" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2016 |title=Dr. Bennet Omalu 'would bet my medical license' that O.J. Simpson has CTE |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14677428/dr-bennet-omalu-bet-my-medical-license-oj-simpson-cte |access-date=May 12, 2026 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref name=":30">{{Cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=2025-07-29 |title=Former Football Players With C.T.E. Have Turned to Violence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/business/nyc-shooting-note-cte-explained.html |access-date=2026-05-12 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As of 2025, research suggests that there may be a link between the CTE afflictions of homicidally-violent football players (such as Aaron Hernandez, Philip Adams, and Shane Tamura) and their violent behavior.<ref name=":30" />

Following Simpson's convictions for robbery in 2008, his lawyer told the convicting court that Simpson had suffered concussions which made brain damage responsible for Simpson's actions, rather than Simpson himself—theoretically proving that the convictions were unjust.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2013 |title=Munson: Simpson's new-trial gambit |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9264651/oj-simpson-chucks-concussions-reason-new-trial-blame-former-attorney-instead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404001837/https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/9264651/oj-simpson-chucks-concussions-reason-new-trial-blame-former-attorney-instead |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |publisher=ESPN |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":28">{{Cite web |title='Concussion' Doctor: 'I Would Bet My Medical License' O.J. Simpson Has Degenerative Brain Disease CTE |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/concussion-doctor-bet-medical-license-oj-simpson-degenerative/story?id=36587331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207050857/https://abcnews.go.com/US/concussion-doctor-bet-medical-license-oj-simpson-degenerative/story?id=36587331 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Simpson said he suspected he had CTE, saying:<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Martha |date=2024-04-17 |title=O.J. Simpson feared he had CTE but his family has said a 'hard no' to brain study |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/o-j-simpson-feared-he-had-cte-but-his-family-has-said-a-hard-no-to-brain-study/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430233803/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/o-j-simpson-feared-he-had-cte-but-his-family-has-said-a-hard-no-to-brain-study/ |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> <blockquote>"I do recognize that it probably affects you in short-term memory more than long-term. I know with me, I have days I can’t find words. I literally cannot find words or the name of somebody I know. That gets a little scary."</blockquote>After Simpson's death, his family gave a "hard no" response to scientists who had requested to study his brain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Martha |date=2024-04-17 |title=O.J. Simpson feared he had CTE but his family has said a ‘hard no’ to brain study |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/o-j-simpson-feared-he-had-cte-but-his-family-has-said-a-hard-no-to-brain-study/ |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Illness and death === In May 2023, Simpson reported that he had been diagnosed with cancer and expressed confidence that he would beat it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Emily |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson dies at age 76 after battle with cancer, family says |url=https://abc11.com/orenthal-james-simpson-oj-dead-cancer/14646553/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411152520/https://abc11.com/orenthal-james-simpson-oj-dead-cancer/14646553/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=ABC11 Raleigh-Durham |language=en}}</ref> He also said he started chemotherapy.<ref name=":10" /> In February 2024, it was reported that Simpson was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=February 11, 2024 |title=Report: O.J. Simpson undergoes treatment for prostate cancer |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-o-j-simpson-undergoes-treatment-for-prostate-cancer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305024738/https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-o-j-simpson-undergoes-treatment-for-prostate-cancer |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> A week and a half before his death, Simpson cancelled a scheduled memorabilia signing because he was not feeling well.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Flam |first1=Charna |last2=Pelisek |first2=Christine |date=April 13, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson's Friend—Whom He Once Robbed—Says O.J. Thought He'd 'Get Better' Before Death (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/o-j-simpsons-friend-whom-he-once-robbed-says-o-j-thought-hed-get-better-exclusive-8631163 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413214355/https://people.com/o-j-simpsons-friend-whom-he-once-robbed-says-o-j-thought-hed-get-better-exclusive-8631163 |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=People |language=en}}</ref> In his last Twitter video on February 11, he said that while he was "dealing with some issues", he was in good health.<ref name=":24" /> In the final days before his death, all of Simpson's children visited him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=All of O.J. Simpson's Children Involved in Final Days Before Death |url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-all-kids-children-involved-final-days-before-death/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412215034/https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-all-kids-children-involved-final-days-before-death/ |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=TMZ |language=en}}</ref> He died of the disease on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76.<ref name="abc-death">{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Emily |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson, former football star acquitted of murder, dies at 76 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-former-football-star-acquitted-murder-dies/story?id=16354000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411144714/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-former-football-star-acquitted-murder-dies/story?id=16354000 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=ABC News}}</ref><ref name=":15" /> At the time, Simpson had been living in Las Vegas, next to the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club.<ref name=":15" /> Simpson shared a home with his oldest daughter Arnelle while his youngest son Justin lived up the street from him.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knoll |first=Corina |date=2024-06-09 |title=Where O.J. Simpson Found Acceptance, No Questions Asked |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/us/oj-simpson-las-vegas-golf.html |access-date=2024-07-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Simpson was cremated at the Palm Mortuary in Downtown Las Vegas on April 17, 2024.<ref name="cremated">{{cite news |last=Ritter |first=Ken |date=2024-04-17 |title=OJ Simpson has been cremated, estate attorney in Las Vegas says. No public memorial is planned |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oj-simpson-cremated-estate-attorney-las-vegas-public-109359861 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417212107/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/oj-simpson-cremated-estate-attorney-las-vegas-public-109359861 |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2024 |title=No public memorial planned as OJ Simpson has been cremated, Las Vegas attorney says |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/celebrity/no-public-memorial-planned-as-oj-simpson-has-been-cremated-las-vegas-attorney-says-3035730/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418231530/https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/celebrity/no-public-memorial-planned-as-oj-simpson-has-been-cremated-las-vegas-attorney-says-3035730/ |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |access-date=April 18, 2024}}</ref> The executor of Simpson's estate announced plans to fight the estate's money going to the Brown and Goldman families,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title=Executor of O.J. Simpson's estate plans to fight payout to the families of Brown and Goldman |url=https://apnews.com/article/oj-simpson-will-estate-goldman-brown-d34f28de478a07c3689547296f7228fd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415221656/https://apnews.com/article/oj-simpson-will-estate-goldman-brown-d34f28de478a07c3689547296f7228fd |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> but reversed course soon after.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dolak |first=Kevin |date=April 15, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson's Lawyer Reverses Opinion on Payments to Goldman Family (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oj-simpsons-lawyer-reverses-statement-civil-judgement-goldman-family-1235874717/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416000346/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oj-simpsons-lawyer-reverses-statement-civil-judgement-goldman-family-1235874717/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> No plans were made for a public memorial, while there were tentative discussions of a celebration of life ceremony for the family.<ref name="cremated" /><ref name="cbsnews">{{cite web |title= O.J. Simpson was "alert and chilling" on the couch drinking beer, watching TV 2 weeks before he died, lawyer says|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oj-simpson-death-lawyer-end-came-quickly/ |publisher=CBS News|date=April 17, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Malcolm LeVergne, the attorney handling Simpson's estate, stated that his cremains will be given to his children.<ref name="cremated" />

==== Statements from former acquaintances ==== Simpson's death was met with mixed reactions, as his legal history overshadowed his sporting achievements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schilken |first=Chuck |date=April 12, 2024 |title=From anger to appreciation, O.J. Simpson's death elicits wide range of reactions |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-04-11/oj-simpson-death-reactions-nicole-brown-usc-nfl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412012506/https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-04-11/oj-simpson-death-reactions-nicole-brown-usc-nfl |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The Goldman family issued a statement, which read in part:<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1778569978784219372 |user=KimEGoldman |title=We needed a minute to collect our thoughts and even still, it's a lot to process ... |first=Kim |last=Goldman |access-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412043559/https://twitter.com/KimEGoldman/status/1778569978784219372 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Arkin |first=Daniel |date=2024-04-12 |title=Ron Goldman's father and Alan Dershowitz react to O.J. Simpson's death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oj-simpson-trial-murder-comments-death-rcna147409 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412133507/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/oj-simpson-trial-murder-comments-death-rcna147409 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-12 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text="The news of Ron's killer passing away is a mixed bag of complicated emotions and reminds us that the journey through grief is not linear. For three decades we tirelessly pursued justice for Ron and Nicole, ... [but] the hope for true accountability has ended. ... And despite his death, the mission continues; there's always more to be done."}} Brown's sisters mentioned in a statement:<ref name="denisebrown">{{cite web |title= Denise Brown Reflects on Her Sister Nicole Brown Simpson's Murder 30 Years Later: 'She's Not Just a Crime Story'|url= https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/nicole-brown-simpson-murder-denise-brown-30-year-anniversary-1235983214/|website=Variety |date= May 2, 2024|language=en}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text="[Nicole's] life was stolen from her and while her abuser is finally gone, it doesn't take away the anguish we feel or the pain of her children who lost their mother."}} Booker Edgerson, Simpson's teammate on the Bills, said he was planning to visit Simpson before his death, and said: "We really didn't get along in the beginning. But eventually we became roommates and everything. So we had an outstanding relationship ... We went through a lot when he had his good years in Buffalo ... We had good times, and we understood each other."<ref name="wgrz">{{cite web |title= Former Bills teammate remembers playing with O.J. Simpson|url= https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/nfl/bills/sports-oj-simpson-death-buffalo-wny-football-bills/71-04787f68-32c0-40b1-98ce-853bcff55b57|website=wgrz.com|date= April 12, 2024|language=en}}</ref><ref name="apnews">{{cite web |title= Reaction to the death of O.J. Simpson|url=https://apnews.com/article/oj-simpson-dead-reaction-fe915b430828a4689032c221b579fac7|website=apnews.com|date=April 11, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Joe DeLamielleure, another player on Simpson's team, said he spoke with Simpson on the phone a month prior, and added:<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web |date=12 April 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson's legacy rang loudest where his death created silence |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/oj-simpsons-legacy-rang-loudest-where-his-death-created-silence-000653696.html |publisher=Yahoo! |language=en}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text="...[He] was an icon in the nation. And he meant a lot to people doing those commercials. He did a lot for the Black race even though he didn't know it. He wasn't Muhammad Ali or anything, but he was doing things for athletes and not just Black athletes, but he kicked us into a really big thing. That's what I think of him. He was a groundbreaker ... As for O.J. and what he did or didn't do, it's not my place to judge anybody."}} Former football player Todd Gurley fondly recalled his friendship with Simpson in a tweet, and listed Simpson's football accomplishments.<ref name="tmz">{{cite web |title=TODD GURLEY MOURNS O.J. SIMPSON'S DEATH ... 'You'll Be Missed'|url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/11/nfl-todd-gurley-mourns-oj-simpson-death/|website=tmz.com|date=April 11, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Bob Costas, once Simpson's fellow sportscaster at NBC Sports, said: "I can't think of anyone historical or someone that we may have known where the first chapter and the second chapter of their lives are such a stark contrast".<ref name="today">{{cite web |title= Bob Costas recalls O.J. Simpson car chase following his death: 'It was surreal, to put it mildly' |url=https://www.today.com/news/bob-costas-oj-simpson-rcna147525 |website=today.com |date=April 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Caitlyn Jenner, a former member of the Kardashian family, tweeted: "Good Riddance".<ref name="variety">{{cite web|title=Caitlyn Jenner Posts 'Good Riddance' After O.J. Simpson's Death|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/oj-simpson-caitlyn-jenner-robert-kardashian-1235967860/|website=Variety |date=April 11, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Rappers Cam'ron and Mase paid tribute to Simpson on the sports talk show ''It is What It is,'' where Simpson joined as a football analyst in the last months of his life. The two criticized Jenner's statement.<ref name="sportspodcastgroup">{{cite web |title= O.J. Simpson Joins 'It Is What It Is' Podcast As Football Analyst|url= https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/news/o-j-simpson-joins-it-is-what-it-is-podcast-as-football-analyst/|website=sportspodcastgroup.com |date= September 26, 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref name="youtube2">{{cite web |title= TRIBUTE TO UNCLE O REST IN PEACE O.J SIMPSON S3 EP72|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4dZp600DMo|via=YouTube | date=April 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="complex">{{cite web |title= Cam'ron Slams Caitlyn Jenner for Comment About O.J. Simpson's Death: 'You Ain't Princess Diana'|url= https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/camron-caitlyn-jenner-oj-simpson-death|website=complex.com |language=en}}</ref> David Zucker, director of the ''Naked Gun'' movies, posted on Instagram: "His acting was a lot like his murdering: He got away with it, but no one believed him."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tenreyro |first=Tatiana |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson Death: Caitlyn Jenner Says "Good Riddance" as Hollywood Stars React to News |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oj-simpson-dead-caitlyn-jenner-celeb-reactions-1235872089/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411230724/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/oj-simpson-dead-caitlyn-jenner-celeb-reactions-1235872089/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Other responses ==== The Bills, 49ers, and USC did not publish any condolences or tributes following his death.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lutz |first=Tom |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Sports world reacts to OJ Simpson death with silence and derision |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/11/oj-simpson-death-reaction-nfl-football-buffalo-bills |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412000834/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/apr/11/oj-simpson-death-reaction-nfl-football-buffalo-bills |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The NFL did not release a statement, but a video that announced Simpson's death and featured highlights from his football career was uploaded on the NFL's website and YouTube channel.<ref name="sportsyahoo">{{Cite web |last= Niemietz |first=Brian |date=11 April 2014 |title= Buffalo Bills, NFL and USC ignore OJ Simpson's death|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/buffalo-bills-nfl-usc-ignore-001400277.html |access-date=2024-04-11 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports|language=en}}</ref><ref name="nfl">{{Cite web |last= Gordon|first= Grant|date=11 April 2014|title= Former NFL running back O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at age 76|url= https://www.nfl.com/news/former-nfl-rb-o-j-simpson-dies-at-age-of-76 |access-date=2024-04-11 |publisher=National Football League|language=en}}</ref><ref name="youtubenfl">{{cite web|title= HOF RB O.J. Simpson passes away at age 76|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVrtsJjS39g|via=YouTube | date=April 11, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The Pro Football Hall of Fame published a news release, and lowered its flag to half-mast.<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom |date=11 April 2014 |title=Celebrating O.J. Simpson's football feats remains a delicate balance for his former teams |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/04/11/oj-simpson-death-reaction-usc-buffalo-bills-heisman-football/73290316007/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=USA Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nytimes">{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Tim |date=2024-04-12 |title=Graham: The complications, controversy and delicate balance of covering O.J. Simpson's legacy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5409865/2024/04/12/oj-simpson-legacy-controversy-complications-coverage/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> The Heisman Trophy organization tweeted a tribute to Simpson, and offered condolences to his family.<ref name="usatoday" />

Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith said: "One of the greatest athletes we have ever seen{{nbsp}}... But it all pales in comparison to him being perceived as a double murderer."<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Stephen A. reacts to the death of O.J. Simpson – ESPN Video |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39921374 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412160448/https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/39921374 |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |publisher=ESPN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Chantz |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Stephen A. Smith reacts to O.J. Simpson's death, weighs in on infamous trial: 'I believed he was guilty' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/stephen-a-smith-reacts-to-oj-simpsons-death-weighs-in-on-infamous-murder-trial-i-believed-he-was-guilty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412052951/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/stephen-a-smith-reacts-to-oj-simpsons-death-weighs-in-on-infamous-murder-trial-i-believed-he-was-guilty |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Former football player Torrey Smith tweeted that while he's "not a big OJ guy," he felt that "using OJ's court pictures to announce his death is disgusting! Regardless of what you may think about him he was innocent in court and has kids out here. Y'all have no respect."<ref name="latimes">{{cite web |title=From anger to appreciation, O.J. Simpson's death elicits wide range of reactions|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-04-11/oj-simpson-death-reactions-nicole-brown-usc-nfl|website=Los Angeles Times|date=April 12, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: "Our thoughts are with his families during this difficult time{{nbsp}}... I know that they have asked for some privacy and so we're going to respect that."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reaction to the death of O.J. Simpson |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/reaction-death-oj-simpson-109137873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411172129/https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/reaction-death-oj-simpson-109137873 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Basketball player Magic Johnson tweeted his and his wife's condolences for Simpson's family.<ref name="magicjohnson">{{cite web|title=O.J. Simpson's Death Draws Reactions From Around the Sports World|url=https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/news/o-j-simpson-joins-it-is-what-it-is-podcast-as-football-analyst/|website=sportspodcastgroup.com |date=September 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Singer Stephanie Mills posted tributes to Simpson on social media, focusing on his NFL career and Hertz commercials.<ref name="fb">{{cite web|title=Stephanie Mills|url=https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=960273195557206&id=100047236022022|via=Facebook|date=April 11, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2025}} Actor Courtney B. Vance later said of Simpson's death: <ref name="courtneybvance">{{cite web |title=Courtney B. Vance Was Intimidated to Portray Johnnie Cochran. Now He's Playing Another Attorney in '61st Street'|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/courtney-b-vance-oj-simpson-johnnie-cochran-61st-street-1235962178/|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date= July 30, 2024|language=en}}</ref> {{Blockquote|text="He went to the grave with all that he knew, and maybe that's a good thing ... everybody had an opinion about what happened, and it becomes larger than the actual event. People had to stake their careers on what they thought ... He'd gotten out of going to jail thanks to Marcia Clark, Chris Darden, and Johnnie Cochran. Johnnie was a brilliant lawyer, but I think they [Clark and Darden] were just inept. It's on them to prove what happened. And they didn't prove it beyond a reasonable doubt."}}

Simpson was featured in the in memoriam segment at the 24th BET Awards, surprising people in attendance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=June 30, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson Featured During 'In Memoriam' Segment at BET Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/o-j-simpson-2024-bet-awards-in-memoriam-segment-1235936166/ |access-date=July 1, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> The Academy of Television Arts & Science left Simpson out of the in memoriam segment at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, but included him in a written version of the segment on the Academy's website.<ref name="televisionacademy">{{cite web |year=2024|title=Television Academy In Memoriam 2024|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/video/television-academy-memoriam-2024|language=en}}</ref> Simpson was also featured in the in memoriam segment of the 56th NAACP Image Awards.<ref name="bet">{{cite web |year=2025|title= 56th NAACP Image Awards|url=https://www.bet.com/episodes/5tov9n/56th-naacp-image-awards-56th-naacp-image-awards-ep-2|website=bet.com|language=en}}</ref>

=== Money owed === Simpson's longtime Las Vegas attorney Malcolm LaVergne was named as Simpson's "personal representative" and executor of the will and testament, according to court records. Justin Simpson, Simpson's son, was named as "successor personal representative". In August 2024, LaVergne revealed that Simpson owed him $269,000 at the time of his death and that he was seeking to claim possession of Simpson's "forever home" in Las Vegas from Simpson's son Justin as part of a way to pay off the debt.<ref name="lavergnereveals">{{cite news |url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/08/20/oj-simpson-estate-liquidation/ |title=O.J. Simpson Executor I Gotta Liquidate His Assets ... Need $269K From His House |publisher=TMZ |date=August 20, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="creditors">{{cite news |url= https://theblast.com/621486/o-j-simpsons-executor-reportedly-needs-over-260000-to-settle-his-debts/ |title=O.J. Simpson's Estate Executor Wants His 'Forever' Las Vegas Home |publisher=Blast |date=August 20, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref name="ashesandebt">{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/oj-simpson-death-kids-ashes-b2602085.html |title=OJ Simpson's kids turn his ashes into jewelry |first=Graig |last=Graziosi |work=The Independent |date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> Speaking to TMZ, LaVergne confirmed that due to Simpson's outstanding debts, such as those related in the 1997 civil ruling, the expensive funeral and $500,000 Simpson owed to the state of California, he was making an effort to liquidate Simpson's assets, and that Simpson's family was putting up resistance to his efforts.<ref name="lavergnereveals" /><ref name="creditors" /> Simpson's creditors include not just the Goldman family, but also the IRS and the California Tax Board.<ref name="creditors" /><ref name="lavergnereveals" /> Simpson's decision to change his primary residence from Florida to Nevada also made him more vulnerable to the Goldman family being able to collect money from what he earned through his NFL pension, with Ron Goldman's father Fred seeking $117 million as of July 2024.<ref name="ashesandebt" /><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/07/26/fred-goldman-seeks-117m-oj-simpsons-estate-wrongful-death-lawsuit/ |title=Father of Ron Goldman seeks $117M from O.J. Simpson's Las Vegas estate |publisher=KVVU-TV |date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> Simpson's ashes would be made into jewelry (memorial diamonds), with only his four children taking possession.<ref name="ashesandebt" /><ref name="lavergnespeaks">{{cite news |url= https://www.tmz.com/2024/08/26/oj-simpson-remains-became-cremation-jewelry/ |title=O.J. Simpson Ashes To Ashes, Dust To Jewelry ... Remains Become Trinkets |publisher=TMZ |date=August 26, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref> LaVergne confirmed that he did not take possession of any of the cremation jewelry, telling TMZ that he had no interest in possessing Simpson's ashes.<ref name=ashesandebt /><ref name=lavergnespeaks /> According to Lavergne, $4,243.06 was spent to go through with Simpson's cremation, create the jewelry, and draw up the death certificates.<ref name=ashesandebt />

==In popular culture==

===Overview=== ''The New York Times'' wrote that Simpson "generated a tide of tell-all books, movies, studies and debate over questions of justice, race relations and celebrity in a nation that adores its heroes." More than 30 books had been written on Simpson by the time of his death.<ref name=":15" />

===Film and television=== During and after the murder trial, Simpson was the frequent subject of mocking jokes by Norm Macdonald on ''Saturday Night Live''. These jokes, which became famous, are widely believed to have caused Macdonald to be fired by NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer, who was friends with Simpson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Edgers |first=Geoff |date=April 12, 2024 |title=The unlikely but enduring bond between Norm Macdonald and O.J. Simpson |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/04/12/norm-macdonald-fired-oj-jokes/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 13, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412183935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/04/12/norm-macdonald-fired-oj-jokes/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Only Norm Macdonald Gave O.J. Simpson What He Deserved |url=https://www.gq.com/story/only-norm-macdonald-gave-oj-simpson-what-he-deserved |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=GQ |language=en-US |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413053504/https://www.gq.com/story/only-norm-macdonald-gave-oj-simpson-what-he-deserved |url-status=live }}</ref> Television host Conan O'Brien remembered Macdonald's comedy as the most notable commentary about Simpson's trials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaloi |first1=Stephanie |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Conan O'Brien Praises Norm Macdonald's 'Brilliant' O.J. Simpson Jokes That Got Him Fired From 'SNL' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/conan-o-brien-praises-norm-014459482.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414010305/https://www.yahoo.com/web/20240414010305/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/conan-o-brien-praises-norm-014459482.html |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |work=Yahoo}}</ref> In the wake of Simpson's death, Macdonald's jokes about him went viral.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkel |first1=Inga |last2=Murray |first2=Tom |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Norm Macdonald's scathing OJ takedowns on SNL resurface after Simpson's death: 'Murder is legal in California' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/oj-simpson-snl-norm-macdonald-b2527599.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413085108/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/oj-simpson-snl-norm-macdonald-b2527599.html |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Prior to Macdonald's death, he jokingly claimed to have changed his mind about Simpson's guilt. According to Macdonald's friend Lori Jo Hoekstra, however, that new commentary was enough for Simpson to reach out to Macdonald and offer to play golf.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edgers |first1=Geoff |date=April 12, 2024 |title=The unlikely but enduring bond between Norm Macdonald and O.J. Simpson |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/04/12/norm-macdonald-fired-oj-jokes/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 12, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412183935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2024/04/12/norm-macdonald-fired-oj-jokes/ }}</ref>

In Fox Network's TV movie, ''The O. J. Simpson Story'' (1995), Simpson is portrayed as a youth by Bumper Robinson and as an adult by Bobby Hosea; his close friend Al Cowlings is portrayed as a youth by Terrence Howard and as an adult by David Roberson.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/15435-actor-who-played-oj-in-forgotten-1995-movie-recalls-their-cold-encounter|work=Inside Edition|title=Actor Who Played O.J. in Forgotten 1995 Movie Recalls Their Cold Encounter|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=September 5, 2016|archive-date=August 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830114711/http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/15435-actor-who-played-oj-in-forgotten-1995-movie-recalls-their-cold-encounter|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The O.J. Simpson Story|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/m/the_oj_simpson_story_1995/|publisher=Fox TV|via=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-date=May 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504183540/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_oj_simpson_story_1995|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=TV Guide|url=https://tvguide.com/movies/the-oj-simpson-story/review/130551/|title=Review: ''The O.J. Simpson Story'' Movie|year=1995|access-date=June 26, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505152114/http://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-oj-simpson-story/review/130551|url-status=live}}</ref> In CBS's TV movie ''American Tragedy'' (2000), Simpson is played by Raymond Forchion.<ref name="wp-forchion">{{cite news |last1=de Moraes |first1=Lisa |date=November 1, 2000 |title=Trying to Sweep Up With O.J. and Jackie |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/02/trying-to-sweep-up-with-oj-and-jackie/28a9b84d-230c-4945-befb-efca02dc06ba/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232620/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/02/trying-to-sweep-up-with-oj-and-jackie/28a9b84d-230c-4945-befb-efca02dc06ba/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

BBC TV's documentary, ''O.J. Simpson: The Untold Story'' (2000), produced by Malcolm Brinkworth, "reveals that clues that some believe pointed away from Simpson as the killer were dismissed or ignored and highlights two other leads which could shed new light on the case."<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC TV|title=''O.J. Simpson: The Untold Story'' – New clues in OJ Simpson murder mystery|date=October 4, 2000|location=UK|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/954700.stm|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529092706/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/954700.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Investigation Discovery TV documentary film ''OJ: Trial of the Century'' (2014) begins on the day of the murders, ends on the reading of the verdict, and comprises actual media footage of events and reactions, as they unfolded.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Braxton|first1=Greg|title='O.J.: Trial of the Century' revisits murder case as it unfolded|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-oj-simpson-documentary-20140612-story.html|access-date=January 14, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116165314/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-oj-simpson-documentary-20140612-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Also an Investigation Discovery TV documentary is ''O.J. Simpson Trial: The Real Story'' (2016), which entirely comprises archival news footage of the murder case, the Bronco chase, the trial, the verdict, and reactions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Investigation-Discovery-to-Premiere-OJ-SIMPSON-TRIAL-THE-REAL-STORY-Today-20160226|title=Investigation Discovery Premieres OJ Simpson Trial: The Real Story Today|access-date=November 20, 2021|archive-date=November 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120061709/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Investigation-Discovery-to-Premiere-OJ-SIMPSON-TRIAL-THE-REAL-STORY-Today-20160226|url-status=live}}</ref>

The documentary miniseries, ''O.J.: Made in America'' (2016), directed by Ezra Edelman and produced by Laylow Films, is an American five-part, {{Fraction|7|1|2}}-hour film that previewed at the Tribeca and Sundance Film Festivals, and aired as part of the ''30 for 30'' series airing on the ABC and ESPN sister networks. This film adds "rich contextual layers to the case, including a dive into the history of Los Angeles race relations that played such a central role in his acquittal."<ref>{{cite news|work=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/o-j-made-in-america-review-oj-simpson-documentary-espn-30-for-30-1201681519/|title=TV Review: 'O.J.: Made in America'|author=Lowry, Brian|access-date=June 26, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625081916/http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/o-j-made-in-america-review-oj-simpson-documentary-espn-30-for-30-1201681519/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mary McNamara wrote she was impressed the film had "that ability to show all sides of this history, to balance opposing forces and push them forward."<ref>{{cite news|title=Why 'O.J.: Made in America' might be the first television show to win an Oscar|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-oj-made-in-america-tv-review-20160505-snap-htmlstory.html|access-date=July 13, 2025|first=Mary|last=McNamara|author-link=Mary McNamara|newspaper=LA Times|date=May 20, 2016|archive-date=June 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604123608/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-oj-made-in-america-tv-review-20160505-snap-htmlstory.html|url-status=live}}</ref> James Poniewozik observed in his ''New York Times'' review that "the director Ezra Edelman pulls back, way back, like a news chopper over a freeway chase. Before you hear about the trial, the documentary says, you need to hear all the stories – the stories of race, celebrity, sports, America – that it's a part of."<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Television: Two Astonishing Views of O.J. Simpson and His Trial|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/arts/television/oj-simpson-trial-made-in-america.html|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=June 26, 2016|author=Poniewozik, James|archive-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623085619/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/26/arts/television/oj-simpson-trial-made-in-america.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> The film won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.<ref name="espn-oj-made-in-america-oscar">{{cite news |title='O.J.: Made in America' wins Academy Award |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/18776042/made-america-wins-best-documentary-feature-oscar |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=ESPN |date=February 26, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701163917/https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/18776042/made-america-wins-best-documentary-feature-oscar |url-status=live }}</ref>

In FX's cable TV miniseries ''The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story'' (2016), based on Jeffrey Toobin's book ''The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson'' (1997), Simpson is portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bernstein|first1=Jonathan|title=The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, review: 'expertly executed entertainment'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/02/03/the-people-v-oj-simpson-american-crime-story-review-expertly-exe/|work=The Telegraph|access-date=June 16, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204105348/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/02/03/the-people-v-oj-simpson-american-crime-story-review-expertly-exe/|url-status=live}}</ref> It focuses on the events of the trial, and specifically Simpson's associates during it.<ref name=":15" />

Fox's TV special ''O.J. Simpson: The Lost Confession?'' (2018) features an interview Simpson gave in 2006 with publisher Judith Regan, where he gave "hypothetical" details about his role in the murders.<ref name="foxdetails">{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=Steve |date=March 11, 2018 |title=O.J. Simpson reveals 'hypothetical' murder details in 2006 Fox interview |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/03/11/oj-simpson-hypothetical-murder-details-2006-fox-interview/414975002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401172509/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2018/03/11/oj-simpson-hypothetical-murder-details-2006-fox-interview/414975002/ |archive-date=April 1, 2018 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=March 12, 2018 |title=The O.J. Simpson Interview on Fox: Gripping, Gross or Both? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/arts/television/oj-simpson-interview-fox-lost-confession.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922000814/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/arts/television/oj-simpson-interview-fox-lost-confession.html |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Though Simpson stated that the details he described were hypothetical, the interview was considered to be an implied confession to the murders.<ref name="foxdetails" /><ref>{{Citation |title=O.J SIMPSON THE LOST CONFESSION 2018 (FULL DOCUMENTARY) | date=March 12, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugdTdHiVfYI |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812135611/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugdTdHiVfYI |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=O.J. Simpson Trial: Where Are They Now? |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-trial-now/story?id=17377772 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806025335/https://abcnews.go.com/US/oj-simpson-trial-now/story?id=17377772 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=March 12, 2018 |title=O.J. Simpson's 'lost confession': 'Everything was covered in blood' |url=https://www.9news.com.au/world/oj-simpson-lost-confession-2006-interview-video/0483fba7-234a-4556-aae8-3efe0bf3f4c6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812140333/https://www.9news.com.au/world/oj-simpson-lost-confession-2006-interview-video/0483fba7-234a-4556-aae8-3efe0bf3f4c6 |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=9news.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=O.J. Simpson's lost interview: Soledad O'Brien previews 'bizarre' account |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/11/oj-simpson-lost-interview-soledad-obrien-preview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812160832/https://ew.com/tv/2018/03/11/oj-simpson-lost-interview-soledad-obrien-preview/ |archive-date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> In 2018, it was announced Boris Kodjoe would portray Simpson in a film titled ''Nicole & O.J.''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mizoguchi |first1=Karen |last2=Warner |first2=Kara |date=May 17, 2018 |title=Boris Kodjoe Is Unrecognizable as O.J. Simpson in First Look at Movie 'Nicole & O.J.' |url=https://people.com/movies/boris-kodjoe-oj-simpson-first-look-photo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805233735/https://people.com/movies/boris-kodjoe-oj-simpson-first-look-photo/ |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018 |website=People |language=en}}</ref> The movie, whose title has been changed to ''The Juice'', is scheduled for release in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Benjamin Svetkey |author2=Julian Sancton |title=The O.J. Simpson Movie That Owen Wilson (Among Others) Won't Be Starring In |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/o-j-simpson-movie-owen-wilson-1235879933/ |website=The Hollywood REPORTER |access-date=13 November 2024 |date=24 April 2024}}</ref> In 2020, Court TV premiered ''OJ25'', a 25-part series documenting each week of the trial and hosted by former Los Angeles prosecutor and legal analyst Roger Cossack.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Haring|first1=Bruce|title='OJ25' True Crime Series Bows On Court TV – Documents The Murder Trial Of The Century|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/oj25-true-crime-series-bows-on-court-tv-1202832055/|access-date=February 16, 2020|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 16, 2020|archive-date=February 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216230305/https://deadline.com/2020/01/oj25-true-crime-series-bows-on-court-tv-1202832055/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Exhibits=== The Bronco from Simpson's police chase is on display in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee's Alcatraz East Crime Museum.<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=WVLT-TV |date=July 12, 2016 |title=OJ Simpson Bronco is heading to Pigeon Forge |url=http://www.local8now.com/content/news/OJ-Simpsons-Bronco--386502551.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215202123/http://www.local8now.com/content/news/OJ-Simpsons-Bronco--386502551.html |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Local 8 Now |publisher=Gray Television}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=OJ Simpson Bronco |url=https://www.alcatrazeast.com/inside-alcatraz-east/artifacts/oj-simpson-bronco/|website=Alcatraz East Crime Museum|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812213555/https://www.alcatrazeast.com/inside-alcatraz-east/artifacts/oj-simpson-bronco/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017, Adam Papagan curated a pop-up museum featuring artifacts and ephemera from the trial at Coagula Curatorial gallery in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oj-simpson-pop-up-museum-hits-las-chinatown-1030750|first=Jordan|last=Riefe|title=O.J. Simpson Pop-Up Museum Hits L.A.'s Chinatown|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 18, 2017|language=en|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322021642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oj-simpson-pop-up-museum-hits-las-chinatown-1030750|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/oj-simpson-museum-oj-simpson-trial-los-angeles-652246|title=An O.J. Simpson museum in Los Angeles shows how low Americans will go for entertainment|last=Scott|first=H. Alan |date=August 18, 2017|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=March 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322020306/https://www.newsweek.com/oj-simpson-museum-oj-simpson-trial-los-angeles-652246|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+Film and television credits !Year !Film !Role !Notes |- | rowspan="2" |1968 ! scope="row" |''Ironside'' |Onlooker—uncredited |<ref name="ESPN Death">{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2024 |title=O.J. Simpson dies of cancer at age 76, family says |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39920478/oj-simpson-dies-cancer-age-76-family-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411154142/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39920478/oj-simpson-dies-cancer-age-76-family-says |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Dragnet 1968'' |Student—uncredited |<ref name="ESPN Death" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1969 ! scope="row" |''Medical Center'' |Bru Wiley |TV episode "The Last 10 Yards"<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 9, 1970 |title=TV Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/145173098/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231559/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal/145173098/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Salina Journal |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''The Dream of Hamish Mose'' |Unknown | Unreleased film<ref>{{Cite news |author=Denny, Dick |date=June 10, 1969 |title=Kockton Puts O.J. On Film, Sans Headgear |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-oj-simpson-in-th/21293402/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411202016/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-oj-simpson-in-th/21293402/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Indianapolis News |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- |1971 ! scope="row" |''Why?'' |The Athlete |Short film<ref name="Tomatoes">{{Cite web |title=O.J. Simpson |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/oj_simpson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411155422/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/oj_simpson |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref> |- |1974 ! scope="row" |''The Klansman'' |Harry Jernigan |- |1974 ! scope="row" |''The Towering Inferno'' |Garth | |- | rowspan="2" |1976 ! scope="row" |''The Cassandra Crossing'' |Haley |<ref name="Victoria Advocate 1977">{{Cite news |date=May 16, 1977 |title=O.J. Serious About Acting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/victoria-advocate/145176052/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231917/https://www.newspapers.com/article/victoria-advocate/145176052/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Victoria Advocate |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Killer Force'' |Alexander |<ref name="Victoria Advocate 1977" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1977 ! scope="row" |''A Killing Affair'' |Woodrow York |TV<ref>{{Cite news |author=Thomas, Bob |date=September 21, 1977 |title=Liz Montgomery, O.J. Simpson star in a love story |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news/145175185/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231918/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-miami-news/145175185/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Miami News |page=55 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Roots'' |Kadi Touray |<ref name="Victoria Advocate 1977" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1978 ! scope="row" |''Capricorn One'' |Cmdr. John Walker |<ref>{{Cite news |author=Huddy, John |date=June 13, 1978 |title=Moon shot hoax? This is a movie! |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/145175805/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231918/https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press/145175805/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |page=42 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Saturday Night Live'' |Host |TV (February 25, 1978)<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1979 ! scope="row" |''Firepower'' |Catlett |<ref>{{Cite news |author=Walz, Steve K. |date=May 20, 1979 |title=Screen Thriller 'Firepower' Is Just A Loud Dud |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/145175915/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411231923/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/145175915/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Daily Times |page=44 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Goldie and the Boxer'' |Joe Gallagher |TV (executive producer)<ref name="KC Star 1981">{{Cite news |author=Flander, Judy |date=February 19, 1981 |title=Sequel to 'Goldie and the Boxer' is winning entertainment for the family |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/145177152/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232324/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/145177152/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- |1980 ! scope="row" |''Detour to Terror'' |Lee Hayes |TV (executive producer)<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- |1981 ! scope="row" |''Goldie and the Boxer Go to Hollywood'' |Joe Gallagher |TV (executive producer)<ref name="KC Star 1981" /> |- |1983 ! scope="row" |''Cocaine and Blue Eyes'' |Michael Brennen |TV (executive producer)<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1983 |title=O.J. Sheds Security Blanket As Detective in Mystery Story |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/145176824/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232107/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/145176824/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Buffalo News |page=113 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- |1983 ! scope="row" |''Hambone and Hillie'' |Tucker |<ref name="Two Lives">{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1994 |title=Two lives |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/145176278/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232324/https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/145176278/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=Democrat and Chronicle |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- |1985–91 ! scope="row" |''1st & Ten'' |T.D. Parker |sixty-seven episodes<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 6, 1994 |title=Film |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news/145176691/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232248/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news/145176691/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Herald-News |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1987 ! scope="row" |''Back to the Beach'' |Man at Airport |Uncredited<ref>{{Cite news |author=McTavish, Brian |date=August 10, 1987 |title='Back to the Beach' keeps the '60s party alive |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/145176562/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232327/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star/145176562/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |page=36 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''Student Exchange'' |Soccer Coach |TV<ref>{{Cite news |author=Bobbin, Jay |date=November 28, 1987 |title=MacLeod returns to TV in 'Disney Sunday Movie' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/145189938/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411232108/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gazette/145189938/ |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |newspaper=The Gazette |page=38 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> |- |1988 ! scope="row" |''The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!'' |Detective Nordberg |<ref name="Two Lives" /> |- |1989 ! scope="row" |''In the Heat of the Night'' |Councilman Lawson Stiles |TV episode "Walkout"<ref>{{Cite book |author=Puette, William J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6SaQ5IoscCcC&dq=%22+Lawson+Stiles+%22+%22o.j.+simpson%22&pg=PA193 |title=Through Jaundiced Eyes: How the Media View Organized Labor |date=1992 |publisher=Cornell University Press |isbn=0-87546-185-9 |pages=192–193 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411202833/https://books.google.com/books?id=6SaQ5IoscCcC&pg=PA193&lpg=PA193&dq=%22+Lawson+Stiles+%22+%22o.j.+simpson%22&source=bl&ots=IQhl-am9SV&sig=ACfU3U3GIEmg7q2NRcQJNeJ-VRNmTp3OfA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi_naDH37qFAxWfEVkFHfP-CuI4ChDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=%22%20Lawson%20Stiles%20%22%20%22o.j.%20simpson%22&f=false |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |1991 ! scope="row" |''The Naked Gun {{Fraction|2|1|2}}: The Smell of Fear'' |Detective Nordberg |<ref name="Two Lives" /> |- | rowspan="4" |1993 ! scope="row" |''Adventures in Wonderland'' |Himself |TV episode "White Rabbits Can't Jump", unaired<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 1, 2004 |title=Cyberspace |url=https://archive.org/details/knightletterno7303lewi/mode/2up?q=simpson |magazine=Knight Letter |publisher=Lewis Carroll Society of North America |page=44 |volume=2 |number=73}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''CIA Code Name: Alexa'' |Nick Murphy |<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- ! scope="row" |''For Goodness Sake'' |Man in restaurant |Simpson was edited out of later releases<ref name="ap94">{{cite news |title=O.J. Simpson Has Cameo In Training Movie About Ethics, Morality |url=https://apnews.com/2b8c686a77f7c00e55c5c138f1bf0b80 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219112338/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1994/O-J-Simpson-Has-Cameo-In-Training-Movie-About-Ethics-Morality-With-AM-Simpson-Abuse-Laws-Bjt/id-2b8c686a77f7c00e55c5c138f1bf0b80 |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |access-date=December 31, 2014 |work=Associated Press News|last=Elber|first=Lynn|date=June 22, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=June 22, 1994 |title=Mixed Messages: Simpson Is Hastily Edited Out of Film on Values, but Some Prefer the Original |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-22-mn-7152-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508145638/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-06-22/news/mn-7152_1_o-j-simpson |archive-date=May 8, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2019 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times|last=Dillow|first=Gordan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=O.J. Is Edited Out Of Firm's 'Morality' Video {{pipe}} The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940626&slug=1917342 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424081335/https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19940626&slug=1917342 |archive-date=April 24, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |work=The Seattle Times|last=Dillow|first=Gordan|date=June 26, 1994}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" |''No Place to Hide'' |Allie Wheeler |<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- | rowspan="2" |1994 ! scope="row" |''Naked Gun {{Fraction|33|1|3}}: The Final Insult'' |Detective Nordberg |<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- ! scope="row" |''Frogmen'' |John 'Bullfrog' Burke |Unaired TV movie<ref name="Tomatoes" /> |- |2006 ! scope="row" |''Juiced with O. J. Simpson'' |Himself |TV pay-per-view |- |2011 ! scope="row" |''Jail'' |Himself |TV, season 2, episode 18<ref>[http://www.aolnews.com/2008/02/12/o-j-simpsons-booking-to-be-shown-on-mynetworktvs-jail-progr/ O.J. Simpson's Booking to Be Shown on MyNetworkTV's 'Jail'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922225809/http://www.aolnews.com/2008/02/12/o-j-simpsons-booking-to-be-shown-on-mynetworktvs-jail-progr/|date=September 22, 2012}}</ref> |- |2018 ! scope="row" |''Who Is America?'' |Himself |TV, episode 7<ref>{{cite news |date=August 27, 2018 |title=Who Is America?: Sacha Baron Cohen tries to draw OJ Simpson confession |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/27/who-is-america-sacha-baron-cohen-tries-to-draw-oj-simpson-confession |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630121344/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/27/who-is-america-sacha-baron-cohen-tries-to-draw-oj-simpson-confession |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian|last=Mumford|first=Gwilym}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |date=June 4, 2019 |title=Sacha Baron Cohen was sure he'd make O.J. Simpson confess in 'Who Is America?' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/06/04/sacha-baron-cohen-cocky-oj-simpson-confession-who-is-america/1342462001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806084132/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/06/04/sacha-baron-cohen-cocky-oj-simpson-confession-who-is-america/1342462001/ |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2020 |website=USA Today}}</ref> |}

== See also == * List of NCAA major college football yearly rushing leaders * Murder of Alison Shaughnessy – UK case in which the media was accused of "O.J. Simpson-style reporting"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duce |first1=Richard |title=Sisters act 'to halt slide into OJ-style reporting'; Michelle and Lisa Taylor |work=The Times |date=July 28, 1995 |page=6}}</ref> * {{section link|List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy|Deceased players suspected of having had CTE}}

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == {{Commons}} * [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SimpO.00.htm O. J. Simpson] at Pro-Football-Reference.com * {{IMDb name}} * {{discogs artist|O.J. Simpson}}

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