ArticlesNFLBy Stacey Mickles on

As it was reported earlier, OJ Simpson passed away from cancer at the age of 76. While older NFL fans may remember him for what he did on the field, a lot of younger fans probably remember Simpson more for “The Trial of the Century” which took place in the mid-90s when Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole and Ron Goldman.

His family announced his death via X.

“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” read a statement posted by Simpson’s family on X. “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace. ”

A lot of people had mixed emotions about OJ. Some supported him and believe to this day he didn’t do it, while others were convinced that he did.

Simpson won his criminal trial but lost the civil trial. He also spent nine years in prison over a separate incident about a robbery regarding his memorabilia.

Over the years, Simpson has become a complicated and controversial figure. So naturally, his death has brought mixed emotions from those who loved him and from those who disliked him.

Either way, Simpson left a mark on the world that soon won’t be forgotten.

It seems as if social media had more of a negative memory of Simpson.

While others make jokes or remember Simpson, there is still heartbreak and mourning from the Goldman and Brown families who lost loved ones during that time period.

Fred Goldman, who is the father of Ron Goldman, said this Thursday upon learning about Simpson’s death.

“This is just a reminder for us of how long Ron has been gone, how long we have missed him and nothing more than that,” Fred Goldman said. “That is the only thing that is important today. It is the pain from then until now. There is nothing today that is more important than the loss of my son and the loss of Nicole. Nothing is more important than that.”

Thus far, the Brown family, who is the family of Nicole Simpson, has yet to release a statement on Simpson’s death and we may not hear from them. They may, like the Goldman family, pay more tribute to their lost loved ones rather than speak on his death.

Since Simpson was acquitted of murder, he has struggled to regain the spotlight. He had basically become a pariah in society and rarely was he ever seen in the last few years of his life.

Every once in and awhile, he’d pop up on social media to give an opinion on a particular topic, but other than that, Simpson led a pretty low-key lifestyle, especially at the end.

How he will be remembered will depend on whom you ask. Some will remember him as one of the greatest football players of all time who was the first player in NFL history to rush for over 2000 yards in 1973.

But most will remember him as someone who may have been involved in a double homicide.

{US Magazine}

About Stacey Mickles

Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.

View all posts by Stacey Mickles