OJ Simpson is dead. The former American football star was 76 years old

“On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time, his family asks that their wishes for privacy and grace be respected,” the letter read. It was published on the X platform on Thursday.

Born in 1947, Blake Simpson was one of the greatest players in American football history.

Simpson played for the University of Southern California in 1967. He played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. In 1973, he was named the NFL's Most Valuable Player.

He also participated in athletics. On June 17, 1967, he ran the 4 x 110-yard relay (as a competitor for USC).

He later became a sports commentator and actor, playing a cop in the comedy films “The Naked Gun.”

In 1994, he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and Mezzaluna waiter Ron Goldman. He was acquitted of the double murder in 1995.

The verdict was considered controversial because prosecutors said the evidence of guilt was strong and the decision was made by a jury made up mostly of African Americans. This process has been widely reported in the media.

In 1997, a civil court awarded Simpson $33.5 million in compensation to the families of the deceased, assuming that it was the former athlete who deprived them of their lives. Under California law, a civil court is not bound by a criminal court ruling.

In 2007, Simpson was put on trial again for armed robbery, robbery, and burglary of a hotel room in Las Vegas. He was then sentenced to 33 years in prison.

On October 1, 2017, he was released on conditions. The special committee decided to release Simpson due to his good behavior in prison, “minimal risk to society” and no other criminal history.