Orenthal James Simpson, better known as O.J. Simpson, was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, U.S. He is an American former professional football player, actor, and broadcaster. Simpson’s career in football, his legal history, and his post-football life have made him a prominent and controversial figure in American sports and culture. Simpson’s football career began in high school at Galileo High School in San Francisco, where he played as a tackle and then as a fullback. His exceptional talent on the field led him to attend San Francisco City College from 1965 to 1966, where he achieved a scholastic record that allowed him to play for the University of Southern California (USC). At USC, Simpson set team records for yards gained by rushing in 1967 and 1968 and was named an All-American both years. He also played in two Rose Bowl games and won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1968 as the best collegiate player of the season.
In 1969, Simpson was drafted as the number one pick by the American Football League (AFL) Buffalo Bills. The following year, the AFL merged with the National Football League (NFL), and Simpson continued to play for the Bills in the NFL’s American Football Conference (AFC). During his time with the Bills, Simpson set numerous records, including a single-season rushing record of 2,003 yards in 1973. He led the AFC in rushing yardage four times and retired with a career total of 11,236 yards gained, which was second in the all-time rankings at the time of his retirement. In recognition of his outstanding career, Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
After retiring from football, Simpson pursued a career in acting and broadcasting. He appeared in films and television shows and worked as a sports commentator. However, his post-football life was overshadowed by legal troubles. On June 12, 1994, Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman were found murdered outside her home in Los Angeles. Simpson was arrested and charged with the two murders on June 17. His trial became one of the most publicized criminal trials in American history, drawing unprecedented media scrutiny. Despite pleading not guilty and hiring a team of prominent lawyers for his defense, Simpson was acquitted of the murder charges by a jury on October 3, 1995.
However, in a separate civil trial decision in 1997, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of his ex-wife and Goldman and was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages to the families. This ruling had a significant impact on Simpson’s public image and legal standing. In 2006, Simpson collaborated with writer Pablo F. Fenjves on the book “If I Did It,” in which he hypothetically discussed how he would have committed the murders. The book initially faced public outrage and was not published. However, a bankruptcy court later awarded the book’s rights to the Goldman family, who released the work in 2007. Simpson’s legal history and public persona have continued to generate significant attention and controversy. His life story remains a complex and compelling part of American sports and cultural history.