Sports
OJ Simpson’s death draws scathing reactions from Caitlyn Jenner, family lawyer Ron Goldman and more just weeks after the NFL star disputed claims he was in hospice
OJ Simpson, the former NFL star who made headlines after being acquitted of murder charges, died on April 10. He first rose to fame during his storied NFL profession, but his accomplishments pale in comparison to the attention his infamous murder trial generated.
Now, as news of his death spreads, Simpson is causing just as much controversy in the afterlife.
Simpson was acquitted of brutally killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1995. On April 11, the Simpson family announced that the former football star had died in Las Vegas after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.
“On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, passed away while battling cancer,” the family wrote on X, the social media site formerly referred to as Twitter.
“He was surrounded by children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that their wishes for privacy and grace be respected.”
Simpson previously denied reports that he was under hospice care. On February 9, he posted video about yourself in the driver’s seat of his automotive and made it clear that his prostate cancer had not progressed to the point where medical caregivers were simply attempting to alleviate his suffering.
“Hospice? Hospice? Are you talking about hospice? No, I’m not in any hospice,” Simpson said, laughing. “I don’t know who put that up.”
The 76-year-old added that he plans to ask “a lot of friends” to the Super Bowl party.
Just two days later, Simpson posted one other video in which he assured followers that he remained in “good health” despite his prostate cancer diagnosis.
“Thank you to all the people who contacted me. My health is good,” Simpson said on February 11 in his latest video post on social media.
Simpson has appeared repeatedly on the sports podcast “It Is What It Is,” which has featured hip-hop artist Cam’Ron in addition to rapper and ordained minister Mason “Ma$e” Betha. Simpson last appeared on the show on January 1. 22. During the show, he discussed quite a lot of topics, including the Buffalo Bills’ disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL playoffs.
“The match itself was great. I mean, it was a competitive match. It went back and forth, back and forth. I assumed each teams, and even the Bills, played well enough to win. – said Simpson.
Pro Football Hall of Fame president Jim Porter released a press release shortly after news of Simpson’s death broke.
“OJ Simpson was the first player to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, which many believed was impossible to achieve in a 14-game season. “His contributions on the field will be preserved in the Hall Archives in Canton, Ohio.”
But not all reactions to Simpson’s death were favorable. Caitlyn Jenner, who was previously married to Kris Jenner, learned of Simpson’s death on social media.
“Goodnight,” Jenner wrote.
Shortly after Jenner’s post, her comments were flooded with fans who got here to Simpson’s defense, and some even reminded Jenner that she was liable for someone’s death.
“You’re mad because he’s Khloe’s real daddy,” one X user said he was joking.
“I’m sure the family of the person you hit can’t WAIT to say the same about you,” one other commenter replied.
I do know you do not say pic.twitter.com/rGqVe0QrLC
—SWB
(@ykkswb) April 11, 2024
– said David Cook, a lawyer who represented Ron Goldman’s family in wrongful death civil lawsuits TMZ“OJ died without repentance,” adding that the Goldman family will proceed to come back for the judgment they’re owed for more than $70 million.
Gloria Allred, who represented Nicole Brown Simpson’s family during her murder trial, shared her thoughts in a press release released following the news of OJ’s death.
“My heart goes out to the children of OJ Simpson and the very brave family of Nicole Brown Simpson,” Allred said. “The truth about OJ Simpson can never be erased and should never be forgotten. OJ Simpson is dead. May his victims finally rest in peace.”
Marc Lamont Hill delivered a message to the community about treating Simpson like a martyr.
“OJ Simpson was a violent liar who abandoned his community long before he killed two people in cold blood. His acquittal of murder was the proper and crucial results of a racist criminal legal system. But he continues to be a monster, not a martyr,” he wrote on Twitter.
OJ Simpson was a violent liar who abandoned his community long before he killed two people in cold blood. His acquittal of murder was the proper and crucial results of a racist criminal legal system. But he continues to be a monster, not a martyr.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) April 11, 2024
Simpson pleaded “100 percent not guilty” during his infamous murder trial, and his defense team included a variety of powerful lawyers, including civil rights attorney Johnnie Cochran, top defense attorneys F. Lee Bailey and Alan Dershowitz, and Barry’ Scheck’s ego.
Simpson’s longtime friend and lawyer, Robert Kardashian, also worked on the case as a member of the “Dream Team.” Both Kardashian and Simpson attended the University of Southern California. Robert is the father of Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Rob Kardashian.
Simpson’s acquittal sparked a combination of shock and joy across the country. However, for several years after his acquittal, he began to fight. He was arrested in 2007 in reference to an armed robbery of a Las Vegas hotel room.
Simpson spent nine years in prison on charges of armed robbery and other crimes. In 2017, he was granted parole.
Simpson left behind 4 children from two marriages. He shared his two youngest children, Sydney and Justin, with Brown.
OJ Simpson’s death draws scathing reactions from Caitlyn Jenner, family lawyer Ron Goldman and more just weeks after the NFL star disputed claims he was in hospice