The star USA footballer Orenthal James Simpson, aka O.J. Simpson, died of cancer at the age of 76 on April 10, his family confirmed through an X post on Thursday.
"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," OJ Simpson's family said in X post. " 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."
Simpson was famously charged with the murder of his wife and her friend in 1994 which overshadowed his legendary 11-year-old spell in the National Football League. He was acquitted after a publicised trial but was again arrested and sentenced to 33 years in jail for an armed robbery and kidnapping at the Las Vega Hotel in 2007.
The former Buffalo Bills running back was granted an early parole by the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation in December 2021.
Apart from his controversial legal battles, Simpson emerged as one of the best NFL running backs in history. He won four NFL rushing titles and still holds the record for an average of 141.3 yards per game. He claimed the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) title for famously becoming the first and only player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season in the 1973 season.
After 10 successful seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Simpson joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and played his last game on December 16, 1979.
