NFL legend O.J. Simpson has died aged 76. The family of the former running back, one of the most infamous American sporting stars in history, announced Simpson had succumbed to his lengthy battle with cancer.
The family of Simpson revealed he passed away in Las Vegas on Wednesday. They say he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren when he died that evening.
Simpson had reportedly been battling prostate cancer in recent years, and his health took a turn for the worse recently that saw him stay full-time in hospice care over the last few months. The former running back had appeared frail leading up to his passing; back in January, he was spotted using a cane.
Simpsons played in the NFL for 11 seasons and was one of the defining stars of his generation. He won the coveted MVP award in 1973, a year he also claimed the Comeback Player of the Year award.
He also etched himself in league history by becoming the first player to eclipse the 2,000 rushing yards mark. Simpson truly dominated the NFL between 1972 and 1976, voted a member of the First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl all five seasons.
Simpson became arguably more renowned for the controversial murder of his former wife and her friend Ron Goldman. The duo were both stabbed to death at her home, and Simpson was later acquitted in a high-profile trial that lasted eight months.
Simpson had originally been prosecuted on national TV in what was billed as ‘The Trial of the Century’. Even before he was taken in by authorities, Simpson infamously led police on a low-speed chase in his Ford Bronco through Los Angeles freeways in a televised moment that stands as one of the most dramatic and iconic moments in modern American history.
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