50 Facts About OJ Simpson

Early Life and Family

Orenthal James Simpson, known as O.J. Simpson, has a life story filled with highs and lows. Let's start with his early years and family background.

1. Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California.
2. His parents, Eunice and James Simpson, separated when he was young.
3. At age 2, Simpson contracted rickets, which left him pigeon-toed and bow-legged.
4. He had to wear special shoes connected by an iron bar for several hours each day until he was 5.
5. Raised by his mother in the Potrero Hill district, he joined a gang called the Persian Warriors at age 13.
6. This led to a brief stint at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center in 1962.
7. Despite his early involvement in gangs, Simpson found solace in sports.
8. He attended Galileo High School, where he displayed immense promise on the gridiron.

College Football Stardom

Simpson's talent on the football field became evident during his college years, setting the stage for his professional career.

9. After excelling at City College of San Francisco, he was admitted to the University of Southern California (USC) as a halfback.
10. At USC, Simpson became a two-time All-American halfback.
11. He set NCAA records and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968.
12. His performance at USC cemented his status as a college football superstar.

NFL Career Highlights

Simpson's transition to the NFL was marked by numerous achievements and records.

13. Simpson was the number one draft choice of the American Football League (AFL) Buffalo Bills in 1969.
14. The following year, the AFL merged with the National Football League (NFL).
15. In 1973, Simpson became the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season.
16. This achievement earned him the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
17. During his nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Simpson received five consecutive Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections from 1972 to 1976.
18. He led the league in rushing yards four times and in rushing touchdowns twice.
19. His career total yards gained (11,236) placed him second in the all-time rankings at the time of his retirement.
20. Simpson holds the record for rushing over 2,000 yards in a 14-game regular season.
21. He is the only player to rush for over 200 yards in six different games in his career.
22. His single-season yards-per-game average of 143.1 remains the highest mark in league history.

Post-Retirement Ventures

After retiring from football, Simpson explored various career paths, including acting and broadcasting.

23. Simpson transitioned into acting and broadcasting after retiring in 1979.
24. He appeared in films like "The Towering Inferno" (1974) and "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" (1988).
25. Simpson also became a sportscaster and a spokesman for various products, notably Hertz rental cars.
26. His acting career included roles in "The Klansman" (1974), "Roots" (1977), and "Capricorn One" (1978).
27. He even hosted an episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1978, making him the second professional athlete to do so.

Personal Life and Relationships

Simpson's personal life has been marked by both joy and tragedy.

28. Simpson married Marguerite Whitley in 1967, with whom he had three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren.
29. Aaren drowned in a family swimming pool at the age of 2 in 1979.
30. Simpson later married Nicole Brown in 1985, with whom he had two children: Sydney and Justin.
31. The marriage ended in divorce in 1992.
32. Simpson met Nicole Brown at The Daisy, a trendy Beverly Hills restaurant, where she was working as a waitress.
33. Their marriage was marked by domestic violence incidents, which would later become a significant part of Simpson's trial.

The Infamous Murder Trial

Simpson's life took a dramatic turn with the murder trial that captivated the nation.

34. On June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were brutally stabbed to death outside her home in Los Angeles.
35. Simpson became the prime suspect and was arrested on June 17, 1994.
36. The subsequent trial was one of the most publicized in American history.
37. Millions watched the infamous Bronco chase as Simpson hid in the back of a Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings.
38. The Bronco chase was televised live nationally and seen by an estimated 95 million viewers.
39. The slow-speed pursuit ended at Simpson's home, where he was arrested and charged with the murders.
40. Simpson pleaded not guilty and hired a team of prominent lawyers, led by Johnnie Cochran.
41. The trial was marked by dramatic moments, including Cochran's famous phrase "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit."
42. In a separate civil trial in 1997, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
43. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages to the families.

Controversial Book and Legal Troubles

Simpson's post-trial life continued to be filled with controversy and legal issues.

44. After his acquittal, Simpson collaborated on a book titled "If I Did It," which hypothesized about how he would have committed the murders.
45. The book sparked public outrage and was eventually withdrawn from publication.
46. However, it was later released by the Goldman family in 2007.
47. In 2007, Simpson was arrested for his involvement in a Las Vegas hotel room robbery.
48. He and several other men took memorabilia items that Simpson claimed had been stolen from him.
49. Simpson was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping and found guilty in October 2008.
50. He was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison, with a possible maximum sentence of 33 years.

The Complex Legacy of O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson's life is a rollercoaster of triumphs and tragedies. From his early days overcoming health issues to becoming a college football superstar, his journey was nothing short of remarkable. His NFL career, filled with records and accolades, cemented his status as one of the greatest running backs ever. Yet, his post-football life took a dark turn. The infamous murder trial, subsequent civil trial, and later conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping overshadowed his athletic achievements. Despite his contributions to sports, his legacy remains tainted by controversy and legal battles. Simpson's story serves as a stark reminder of how fame and personal choices can shape one's legacy, for better or worse. His life continues to spark discussions about justice, celebrity culture, and the complexities of human nature.