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O.J. Simpson Dies at Age 76; Hall of Famer Was Being Treated for Cancer

Adam Wells

O.J. Simpson died Wednesday at the age of 76.

The Simpson family announced the news with a statement on X:

Amanda Batchelor of Local10.com in Las Vegas reported Feb. 9 that Simpson was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. It's unclear when he originally received the diagnosis.

Simpson said in a video posted on X in May 2023 that he "caught cancer" in "recent years" and underwent chemotherapy before noting he had finished his treatment.

Simpson, a former football star and actor, fell into infamy after his playing career ended.

Most notably, after being arrested and charged with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Goldman in June 1994, Simpson was found not guilty during the criminal trial. A civil jury found him liable for wrongful death in 1997.

Previously, he pleaded no-contest to one count of spousal battery against his then-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in 1989.

During the criminal murder trial, prosecutors introduced 59 incidents of domestic violence alleged to be perpetrated against Nicole Brown Simpson at the hands of her then-husband over a 17-year period.

Simpson was found guilty of armed robbery and conspiracy to kidnap in October 2008 after he was accused of holding two memorabilia dealers in a room and stealing items from them at a Las Vegas hotel and casino the previous year.

Defense attorneys argued Simpson was attempting to retrieve personal mementos from his career and personal life. He was discharged from parole in December 2021 after being released from prison four years earlier.

Simpson was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. He won a national title and Heisman Trophy in his two seasons at USC from 1967-68.

The Buffalo Bills selected Simpson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft. He was the first running back in NFL history to surpass 2,000 yards in a single season when he did it in 1973 en route to being named MVP.

Simpson finished in the top four in MVP voting in four consecutive seasons from 1972 to '75. He played the final two years of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers before retiring after the 1979 season.

Simpson also had a successful career as a film actor and TV broadcaster.

   

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