OJ Simpson, a former Heisman Trophy-winning football player and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, passed away at the age of 76 after battling cancer. He is best remembered for being acquitted in a high-profile double murder trial involving his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. However, Simpson’s legacy also includes his outstanding football career, where he was one of the top running backs of his time.
During his college years at USC, Simpson led the nation in rushing yards and won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 1968. One of his most famous plays was a 64-yard touchdown run against UCLA in 1967, solidifying his reputation as a dominant player. After being drafted as the number one pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, Simpson continued his success in the professional league, becoming a five-time First-Team All-Pro and the 1973 MVP.
Throughout his NFL career, Simpson achieved numerous accolades, including leading the league in rushing yards four times and being elected to the NFL’s 1970s All-Decade Team, the 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, and the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. He ranks just outside the top-20 in NFL history with 11,236 career rushing yards over nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills and two with the San Francisco 49ers.
One of Simpson’s most notable achievements was becoming the first member of the 2,000-yard club in 1973, a record that remained unbroken until Eric Dickerson surpassed it in 1984. Only a handful of running backs have achieved this feat, despite changes in the NFL schedule from 14 to 16 and now 17 games. In recognition of his stellar career, Simpson was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot in 1985.
After retiring from football, Simpson transitioned into broadcasting, working as a commentator for ABC’s “Monday Night Football” and as a football analyst for NBC. Despite the infamous trial and legal troubles that followed his football career, OJ Simpson’s impact on the sport and his exceptional abilities as a player remain a significant part of his legacy. His contributions to the game and his lasting achievements on the field will be remembered by football fans for generations to come.
