BREAKING: O.J. Simpson Dead at 76 Following Battle With Prostate Cancer
Retired NFL running back O.J. Simpson has died following his prostate cancer, his family confirmed Thursday. Simpson was 76.
The news has also been confirmed by TMZ and Fox.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the family said in a tweeted posted from his personal account. “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.”
On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.
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.
-The Simpson Family
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024
Reports of Simpson’s diagnosis began circulating in February, with some even claiming Simpson was in hospice. Simpson attempted to shut down those rumors with a video posted online.
“I’m not in any hospice,” he said. “I don’t know who put that out there; but whoever put that out there, I guess it’s like [Donald Trump] says: ‘Can’t trust the media!'”
Hospice??? pic.twitter.com/OXLzs9jWO6
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) February 9, 2024
Simpson was drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Simpson was the first player in NFL history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a single reason — doing so in just 14 games.
Those achievements, and his eventual acting career, would eventually be overshadowed his criminal history.
In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson — his ex-wife — and her friend Ronald Goldman at her home in Los Angeles. The ensuing trial was viewed live by millions. Following O.J.’s shocking acquittal in the criminal trial, Brown’s family filed a wrongful death civil suit. O.J. was ordered to $33 million in damages.
In 2007, O.J. was arrested for armed robbery in Las Vegas. Led by O.J., a group of men entered a hotel room and took sports memorabilia at gunpoint. Simpson claimed the items originally belonged to him.
Following a trial in 2008, Simpson was sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was released on parole in October 2017.
Read more: ‘He Was Not Just Admired But Beloved’: Bob Costas Looks Back at OJ Simpson’s Career Before Murder Trial | ‘No Great Loss to the World’: Fred Goldman Reacts to the Death of OJ Simpson | Stephen A. Smith Weighs in on O.J. Simpson: ‘If I Was on That Jury, He Would’ve Been Under the Damn Jail’
Watch above via Fox News.
