2024-04-12 13:19:36
OJ Simpson, who lived a glamorous life as the greatest NFL player and movie star of his time, but who caused great controversy in American society when he was indicted and acquitted of murdering his ex-wife, passed away on the 10th (local time). He died at the age of 76.
Simpson’s bereaved family announced on social media on the 11th, “My father passed away after a battle with cancer.” Simpson was reportedly diagnosed with prostate cancer about two months ago.
Born in the slums of San Francisco in 1947, Simpson had a difficult childhood, suffering from rickets and having to wear braces on his legs until the age of five. He was a juvenile delinquent who hung out with local gangs, but his exceptional running talent was noticed and he took up American football, which marked the turning point of his life. The New York Times commented, “He is a superstar who set various NFL records and led American football to become a popular sport across the country.” He was also inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1985.
Black sports stars who overcame adversity (rags-to-riches) were also loved in Hollywood. He rose to prominence by appearing as a sportscaster for major broadcasting companies and in movies such as ‘The Man with a Bullet’ (1990). He gained popularity with his calm, handsome image and filmed several commercials for large corporations, which were narrow doors for black people at the time.
But an incident that occurred in 1994 completely changed his life. After his first marriage to his high school girlfriend failed, Simpson remarried Nicole, an 18-year-old waitress he met at a nightclub, in 1985. However, after she divorced in 1992 due to spousal abuse, Nicole and her lover were found stabbed to death near Simpson’s home on June 13, 1994. The American society was shocked when Simpson, who was designated as a suspect at the time, escaped in his friend’s car and was broadcast live on TV.
Simpson once again shook America with the ‘trial of the century’. Although various pieces of evidence, including bloody gloves, were pointed at him, the ultra-luxurious defense team called the “Dream Team” claimed innocence using racism, the most sensitive issue in American society, as a weapon. The aftershocks of the 1992 Los Angeles riots further fueled the situation. Simpson was eventually acquitted due to racist remarks by police and insufficient evidence.
Simpson trial also sparked controversy about the U.S. criminal justice system. The fact that 9 of the 12 jurors at the time were black also worked to Simpson’s advantage. The NYT said, “There was sufficient scientific evidence as well as the circumstances, but the jury was swayed by emotion and returned a not guilty verdict.” Later, in a civil trial, a contradictory ruling was made, requiring Simpson to pay $33.5 million in compensation to the bereaved family.
Simpson case ultimately remained unsolved forever. In his 2007 autobiography ‘If I Did It’, Simpson once again caused controversy by saying, “I remember holding the knife, but I don’t remember anything after that.” Simpson later participated in an armed robbery and kidnapping case and was sentenced to 33 years in prison, but was released on parole in 2017 after serving only 9 years. The Washington Post (WP) said, “He is a problematic figure who sparked a debate about race and the judicial system in the United States. He was abandoned (pariah) by the world, but was never properly punished.”
Washington = Correspondent Moon Byeong-ki [email protected]
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2024-04-12 13:19:36