O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star whose life was marked by a series of triumphs and controversies, died Wednesday in Las Vegas after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer, his family confirmed. He was 76.
"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," the family wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. "He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."
Simpson's attorney also confirmed his death to TMZ. The former running back, who had been looking frail in recent months and was spotted using a cane in January, had reportedly been in hospice care in the months leading up to his passing.
Before his life became embroiled in controversy, Simpson was a beloved all-American hero on the football field. He won the Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Southern California and went on to become a Buffalo Bills legend. After his football career, he transitioned into acting, appearing in numerous movies and TV shows, and famously serving as the face and pitchman for Hertz for many years.
However, Simpson's reputation was forever tarnished in 1994 when he was accused of the brutal murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. The ensuing trial, dubbed the "Trial of the Century," captivated the nation and was televised live, with Simpson's defense team, led by the late Johnnie Cochran, ultimately securing an acquittal.
Despite the not-guilty verdict in the criminal trial, Simpson was later found liable for the wrongful deaths of Nicole and Ron in a civil suit brought by their families. He was ordered to pay tens of millions in damages, which he largely avoided.
In 2007, Simpson found himself in legal trouble once again when he was accused of busting into a Las Vegas hotel room to recover sports memorabilia he believed had been stolen from him. He was arrested, charged, and eventually convicted on all counts, serving nearly a decade in prison before being released on parole in 2017.
After his release, Simpson settled in Las Vegas, where he lived a relatively private life out of the public eye, though he remained active on social media, often posting opinions on sports, politics, and other topics.
Despite the controversies that plagued his later years, Simpson's impact on American culture cannot be overstated. His rise to fame as a football star, his transition into acting, and his highly publicized murder trial all contributed to his status as one of the most infamous figures in modern American history.
