Photography

O.J. Simpson dies at 76: His life in photos

O.J. Simpson, the football superstar who became a symbol of domestic violence and racial division after he was found not guilty of murdering his ex-wife and her friend in a trial that riveted the nation and had legal and cultural repercussions for years to come, died April 10. He was 76.

Myung J. Chung/Pool/AP

The cause was cancer, according to a post from his family on the social media platform X. Additional details were not available.

Myung J. Chung/Pool/AP

1968

Simpson at the University of Southern California.

Nov. 9, 1968 | Los Angeles

Simpson runs against California in a college game.

Hf/AP

Hf/AP

Dec. 5, 1968 | New York

Simpson poses with the Heisman Trophy. He led the country in rushing that season.

Jc/AP

Jc/AP

Jan. 20, 1969 | Philadelphia

Simpson holds an engraved silver case, the Maxwell Award, an award from journalists and coaches.

Bill Ingraham/AP

Bill Ingraham/AP

Jan. 29, 1969 | Palo Alto, Calif.

Simpson receives the Pop Warner Award from Ernie Nevers, who had a long career as a player and a coach.

Ellis R. Bosworth/AP

Ellis R. Bosworth/AP

Jan. 27, 1970 | Las Vegas

Simpson, left, and fellow player Al Cowlings dine together. Cowlings would gain attention for helping his friend flee from police in 1994 before Simpson was arrested.

Oct. 10, 1973 | Buffalo

Simpson pose with wife Marguerite, daughter Arnella, 4, and son Jason, 2.

Mickey Osterreicher/AP

Mickey Osterreicher/AP

Dec.16, 1973 | New York, N.Y.

Simpson, of the Buffalo Bills, rushes through the Jets defensive line during first quarter play at Shea Stadium in which he broke the NFL season rushing record.

AP

AP

Feb. 4, 1974 | Buffalo

Simpson, center, receives the S. Rae Hickock Professional Athlete of the Year award. At right is New York Yankees legend Phil Rizzuto, who was the first recipient of the award in 1950.

Dave Pickoff/AP

Dave Pickoff/AP

Nov. 18, 1976 | Los Angeles

Simpson stands behind ABC sports producer Roone Arledge, who has an armful of Emmys at the 28th annual ceremony.

Rs/AP

Rs/AP

1978 | New York

Simpson embraces actresses Gilda Radner, left, and Jane Curtin on “Saturday Night Live.”

March 24, 1978 | San Francisco

Simpson speaks about being traded from the Buffalo Bills to the San Francisco 49ers.

Sal Veder/AP

Sal Veder/AP

Aug. 1, 1978 | San Francisco

Simpson would retire with the 49ers in 1979.

May 6, 1980 | Beverly Hills, Calif.

Simpson and Nicole Brown at a party. They would marry in 1985 and divorce in 1992.

Nick Ut/AP

Nick Ut/AP

July 21, 1984 | Santa Monica, Calif.

Simpson carries the Olympic torch. The games were held in Los Angeles that summer.

Douglas Pizac/AP

Douglas Pizac/AP

Aug. 2, 1985 | Canton, Ohio

Joe Namath, left, and Simpson, right, stand in front of the Pro Football Hall of Fame before they were inducted.

Mark Duncan/AP

Mark Duncan/AP

Aug. 3, 1985 | Canton, Ohio

Vrom left: Frank Gatski, Namath, Pete Rozelle, Simpson and Roger Staubach stand with their bronze busts at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ernie Mastroianni/AP

Ernie Mastroianni/AP

March 16, 1994 | Los Angeles

Simpson and Brown attend the premiere of “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult” with their children, Sidney Brooke and Justin.

Fred Prouser/Reuters

Fred Prouser/Reuters

June 16, 1994 | Los Angeles

Simpson and his children attend a funeral for Brown after she was slain.

Eric Draper/AP

Eric Draper/AP

June 17, 1994 | Los Angeles

A white Ford Bronco, driven by Al Cowlings and carrying Simpson, is trailed by police cars on a freeway. Simpson had been ordered to surrender but fled. He was eventually arrested.

Joseph R. Villarin/AP

Joseph R. Villarin/AP

June 21, 1995 | Los Angeles

At his trial for the murder of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman, Simpson tries on a pair of new gloves, similar to the gloves found at the crime scene. He struggled to pull on the gloves, which appeared to be too small.

Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

Vince Bucci/AFP/Getty Images

June 30, 1995 | Los Angeles

Simpson and defense attorney F. Lee Bailey consult with each other during the trial. At right is defense attorney Carl Douglas.

Reed Saxon/AP

Reed Saxon/AP

Oct. 3, 1995 | Los Angeles

Simpson reacts as he is acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and Ron Goldman.

Pool/AP

Pool/AP

May 6, 2005 | Louisville,

Simpson arrives at a Kentucky Derby event.

Jeff Gentner/Getty Images

Jeff Gentner/Getty Images

Sept. 30, 2005 | Northridge, Calif.

O.J. Simpson signs autographs at a horror convention at a movie theater.

AP

AP

Sept. 16, 2007 | Las Vegas

Simpson at the Las Vegas police. He was arrested for leading men into a room at a hotel, where they were robbed of memorabilia that Simpson said belonged to him. He would be sentenced to 33 years in prison and serve nine.

John Locher/Associated Press

John Locher/Associated Press

Oct. 3, 2008 | Las Vegas

Simpson arrives for the verdict in his kidnapping and robbery trial.

POOL New/Reuters

POOL New/Reuters

May 17, 2013 | Las Vegas

Simpson in court in 2013.

POOL New/Reuters

POOL New/Reuters

Oct. 31, 2021 | Orchard Park, N.Y.

Simpson poses with fans at a Bills-Dolphins game.

Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP

Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP

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Credits

Photo editing and production by Troy Witcher and Jennifer Beeson; Text by Rick Maese, Glenn Frankel and Matt Schudel