Juice expired

Didn't see this one coming. 

O.J. Simpson, the decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later was found liable in a separate civil trial, has died. He was 76.

The family announced on Simpson's official X account that Simpson died Wednesday after battling prostate cancer. He died in Las Vegas, officials there said Thursday.

"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal 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 family posted on Simpson's X account.

Until the summer of 1994, Simpson was known as a hall of fame running back, movie actor and prolific pitchman. But as of June 1994, Simpson was seen by many as a celeb who murdered his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Even though Simpson was acquitted in October 1995, I would venture to say the majority of people familiar with the case still believe he had gotten away with double murder. 

It was 30 years ago this summer when Simpson was charged with double murder and thus was going to be placed under arrest. However, when arresting officers did not find him at his home, it was soon thereafter he was declared a "fugitive of justice." And thus the "White Bronco chase" saga was born. 

Since this pursuit was broadcast on every channel available, most of America was riveted by these events unfolding. I recall watching this whole saga myself thinking it would end with OJ sucking on a revolver. This was especially in light of a note O.J. left behind which read like a desperate man who was out of options. By the way, said note was read on live TV by a personal friend of Simpson....a guy by the name of Robert Kardashian. I have often said that date of June 17, 1994 saw the birth of two insufferable trends in America. One, the country's obsession with "reality TV." And two, the name Kardashian entering the public domain. 

If OJ Simpson had blown out his knee at USC, you would never have heard of the Kardashians. #ButterflyEffect

— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 20, 2012

Admittedly, I still had an odd fascination with OJ after he was released from prison in 2017 upon serving nine years for armed robbery and kidnapping. I even followed him on Twitter where he often weighed in on news, sports, etc. But it was his tweet on the Friday before the Super Bowl where he responded to rumors of his being in poor health. 

Hospice??? pic.twitter.com/OXLzs9jWO6

— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) February 9, 2024

While he denied any health problems in that video, two days later he posted a Super Bowl Sunday tweet where he acknowledged via video he was "dealing with some issues" but insisted that he'd be back to normal in no time. 

That would be his last post. 

I really don't have much to say about O.J. himself, except to express sincere hope that he repented and accepted Christ as his savior. 

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