OJ Simpson, the former American footballer controversially cleared of double murder, has passed away at 76, according to his family.
Orenthal James Simpson gained fame as a college and NFL player. In 1995, he was acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend, a trial that captivated America.
In 2008, he was sentenced to 33 years for armed robbery, but released in 2017. Simpson died of cancer, as announced by his family on Twitter/X, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
In 1994, Simpson faced arrest as a suspect in the tragic murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman, igniting a nationwide spectacle. Dubbed the “trial of the century,” the prosecution alleged Simpson’s involvement in a jealous rage, presenting evidence like blood, hair, and fiber tests linking him to the crime.
The defense countered with claims of police framing fueled by racism. A pivotal moment came when Simpson struggled to fit into blood-stained gloves allegedly from the crime scene, leading his lawyer Johnnie Cochran to famously proclaim, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Despite widespread controversy, Simpson was declared “absolutely 100% not guilty” by the jury. However, in 2008, he was convicted of armed robbery and served nine years of a 33-year sentence before being granted parole.
Before his legal troubles, Simpson enjoyed public adoration as a renowned athlete, actor, and spokesperson for numerous American companies. His football career, marked by impressive achievements such as being the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, cemented his status as one of the greatest ball carriers in NFL history. He retired from professional football in 1979.
