O.J. Simpson Dead At 76 After Battle With Cancer

O.J. Simpson has died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. The Simpson Family confirmed the former athlete and actor's passing this morning, saying he passed on April 10th "surrounded by his children and grandchildren." You can read a full statement from the family below. 

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

Born Orenthal James Simpson on July 9, 1947 in San Francisco, California, "O.J." was the son of a hospital administrator (mother Eunice) and bank worker/custodian (Jimmy Lee Simpson), who later come out as gay. O.J.'s parents separated early in his life (1952);  he and his siblings (one brother two sisters) were raised by his mother in the San Francisco housing projects. After joining a gang in his teenage years and repeatedly getting arrested, O.J. met baseball star Willie Mays, who pointed him toward sports. 

Simpson played football for his high school team and became and All-City standout; he decided to avoid the Vietnam War and military service by going to City College of San Francisco (due to his average grades) where he took the team a Bowl win, with Simpson becoming a Junior College All-American running back. Other colleges quickly swooped in to get him, and Simpson ultimately landed at University of Southern California (USC) where he helped the Trojan football team become a national contender. 

College football led to an NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and later the San Francisco 49ers. Despite putting up some of the most impressive rushing records of any football player ever, Simpson never played in or won a Super Bowl in his NFL career, which lasted from 1969 to 1979. 

After football Simpson moved into the celebrity space, acting, producing and doing commercial endorsements. His life took an infamous turn in 1994 with the murder of his (soon to be) ex-wife Nicole Borwn Simpson and her companion Ron Goldman. The trial became a national fixation, and Simpson's ultimate acquittal left major senses of division running through social discourse. He would face legal troubles, arrests, and even prison time thereafter on different charges (2008-2013) – although it seemed in recent years that O.J. had found renewed relevance as a social media figure. 

O.J. Simpson will forever be viewed as a controversial figure – but we wish his family condolences in their time of grieving.