O.J. Simpson, former NFL star and acquitted murderer, dies at 76
Ex-football player, actor and broadcaster succumbed to cancer in Las Vegas
Simpson's life was marked by both triumph and tragedy
O.J. Simpson, the former NFL running back and actor who was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife and her friend in a televised trial that gripped the nation, has died at the age of 76. Simpson died Wednesday in Las Vegas after a battle with cancer, his family said in a statement Thursday.
Simpson was born in San Francisco in 1947. He attended the University of Southern California, where he was a star running back and helped the Trojans win a national championship in 1967. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1969 and played in the NFL for 11 seasons.
After his football career ended, Simpson became an actor and starred in several popular films and television shows, including "The Naked Gun" and "The Towering Inferno." He also worked as a sports commentator and broadcaster.
In 1994, Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The trial was televised live and was one of the most watched events in American history. Simpson was acquitted of the charges in 1995.
In 1997, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Brown Simpson and Goldman in a civil trial. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages, but has never paid the full amount.
Simpson's life was marked by both triumph and tragedy. He was a successful athlete and actor, but his career was overshadowed by the murders of Brown Simpson and Goldman.
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