O.J. Simpson passes away at 76 after fighting cancer

Former NFL running back Orenthal James Simpson, better known as O.J. Simpson, has died after a battle with cancer, his family announced Thursday on social media.

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

It was signed, “The Simpson Family” and replies were limited.

On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.

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.

-The Simpson Family

— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) April 11, 2024

Simpson, who was 76 at his time of death, achieved national fame after becoming a college football star and later playing with the NFL for 11 seasons, mostly with the Buffalo Bills. He’s considered to be one of the greatest running backs in franchise history.

The pro athlete became a notorious figure following the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994. The pair were found stabbed to death outside Nicole’s condo in Brentwood. Simpson was arrested and charged with murder, but was later acquitted following a high-profile trial.

Simpson and Brown were married from 1985 until 1992. In 1989, Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse.

The trial was a tabloid obsession that captivated the world. Simpson’s acquittal is considered by many to be a massive failure of the American justice system.

Despite the pro athlete being acquitted during the criminal trial, he was found guilty of their deaths three years later in a civil trial brought by the victims’ families. By the time of his death, Simpson had paid out more than $33 million in damages.

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Simpson was later arrested in Las Vegas and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping in 2007. A group of men led by Simpson entered a room at the Palace Station hotel-casino at gunpoint with the intention of stealing sports memorabilia which he claimed had been taken from him. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison with a minimum of nine years without parole and was released in 2017 after serving that minimum. The former NFL star was released from parole in 2021.

Simpson is survived by four children from two marriages, including Sydney and Justin, who he shared with Brown. One of Simpson’s sons from his first marriage drowned in 1979.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.