By Aaron Miller-
OJ Simpson,(pictured) the disgraced former American football icon whose name became synonymous with one of the most sensational trials in history, has passed away at the age of 76 after battling cancer, his family confirmed.
Simpson died of cancer on Wednesday “surrounded by his children and grandchildren”, a family statement read.
Simpson’s life was marked by remarkable athletic achievements, a successful acting career, and the infamous trial that captivated the world’s attention, ultimately overshadowing his legacy on the field and screen.
Simpson’s name became etched in the annals of history due to that 1995 trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. It was dubbed the trial of the century.
The televised proceedings, including the infamous low-speed car chase and the dramatic courtroom moments, riveted millions worldwide and highlighted the fusion of celebrity and crime in popular culture.
Simpson was eventually acquitted after the criminal trial in which he famously tried on a pair of blood-stained gloves allegedly found at the scene of the crime.
The gloves appeared to be too small, leading defence attorney Johnnie Cochran to say: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.
Despite overwhelming public interest and evidence presented during the trial, Simpson’s acquittal sparked widespread debate and disbelief.
The trial unfolded against a backdrop of racial tensions in Los Angeles, with Simpson’s defense team invoking issues of race and police misconduct in their strategy.
The jury’s verdict of not guilty left many stunned and divided, further fuelling speculation about Simpson’s involvement in the murders.
Although acquitted in the criminal trial, Simpson faced repercussions in a subsequent civil suit filed by the victims’ families, resulting in a substantial monetary judgment against him.
An attorney for Ron’s father Fred said due to Simpson’s failure to pay, the debt with interest has ballooned to over $100 million, adding that he will be ‘going to work on’ collecting anything they can from Simpson’s estate, even after the Juice’s death.
Previous efforts by the family to obtain the debt have failed, with OJ Simpsons only paying $133,000 of the whole sum.
In 2008, Simpson’s involvement in a botched robbery in Las Vegas led to his imprisonment for nine years, casting a shadow over his post-football endeavours and public image.
He was sentenced to up to 33 years in prison in 2008. After nine years in a Nevada prison, he was released on parole in 2017 and then discharged from parole for good behaviour in 2021.
OJ Simpson being taken from the Las Vegas Police Investigative Services Division, 16 September 2007. Pic: AP Photo / John Locher
Despite his legal troubles and controversies, Simpson’s life remained a subject of fascination for decades, with documentaries and retrospectives exploring his rise to fame and subsequent downfall.
David Cook, attorney for Mr Goldman’s family, told TMZ that Simpson “died without penance” as the family is still owed damages. He added that the Goldmans are exploring their options on what assets they can collect from Simpson’s estate.
After enrolling in the NFL’s hall of fame, Simson was a football commentator and Hollywood actor, appearing in a number of TV and film roles including the Naked Gun movie series.
OJ Simpson became famous as a running back for the Buffalo Bills. Pic: AP
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Keith Zlomsowitch, Ms Brown’s ex-boyfriend who served as a pallbearer at her funeral, said Simpson’s death was a “relief”.
He said: “I think finally some sort of justice has been served, that he’s been taken from the earth.
“So it doesn’t bring Nicole back. But it means he can no longer be who he is in this world.”
Caitlyn Jenner, who was previously married to Ms Jenner, tweeted just two words in response to the news of Simpson’s death: “Good Riddance.
The former Olympian and media personality wrote in her autobiography The Secrets Of My Life that Simpson “was the most narcissistic, egocentric, neediest asshole in the world of sports I had ever seen, and I had seen a lot of them”.