Former NFL running back O.J. Simpson has passed away, according to his family. He was 76.
“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” they wrote on X.
He died surrounded by his children and grandchildren, they said.
O.J. SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL PROSECUTOR RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM JUDGE ON JUDICIAL CAMPAIGN
O.J. Simpson leaves court after closing arguments for his trial at the Clark County Regional Justice Center on October 2, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson and co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart are standing trial on 12 charges, including felony kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy related to a 2007 confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel. (Steve Marcus-Pool/Getty Images)
“During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace,” the statement added.
Simpson was embroiled in a murder trial following a June 1994 arrest in connection with the brutal slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman. Simpson was 46 years old at the time.
The “trial of the century” ended on October 3, 1995, when he was acquitted in the 1994 murders. The acquittal came nine months after the trial began — or about 16 months after Brown Simpson and Goldman were found murdered outside her home in Los Angeles.
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Simpson was widely regarded as a legendary running back — and perhaps one of the best running backs of all time — but his fame was eclipsed by the double murder trial of his ex-wife and her friend.
He played in the NFL for 11 seasons after the Buffalo Bills selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft.
This report is developing and will be updated with additional information.
