O.J. Simpson’s passing last year has sparked mixed emotions in how we remember the Hall of Fame running back. He was undeniably one of the greatest players in football history and a prominent figure in the sport for over two decades, both as a player and a broadcaster. However, his legacy is heavily marred by his notorious trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman, where he was found liable in a civil trial.
After Simpson’s death at 76 last April, following a bout with prostate cancer, the two teams closely linked to his illustrious career — the USC Trojans and the Buffalo Bills — opted for silence, failing to publicly honor the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner and 1973 NFL MVP. The NFL also chose not to acknowledge Simpson during the annual “In Memoriam” segment at the NFL Honors award show before Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.
A special In Memoriam tonight from New Orleans 🙏 pic.twitter.com/DbfhDW1NuK
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 7, 2025
While Awful Announcing has reached out to the NFL for clarification regarding Simpson’s absence from the segment, the reasoning seems apparent. Although his football career is undeniably legendary, Simpson’s on-field achievements are often overshadowed by his alleged role in the deaths of Brown and Goldman, evident in the commentary that followed his death last spring, where discussions of his post-playing life took precedence over his football legacy.
Despite this, organizations like the BET Awards and ESPN’s Adam Schefter included O.J. Simpson in their remembrances, which garnered mixed reactions. Ultimately, the NFL’s decision to exclude one of its most famous — and infamous — players from the “In Memoriam” segment is noteworthy, regardless of whether it was the right choice.
