O.J. Simpson

Simpson, O.J. (Orenthal James Simpson; 1947– ), U.S. football player. Known for his speed and elusive running style, he won the Heisman Trophy as the top national college player (1968). Simpson led the National Football League (NFL) in rushing 4 times (1972, '73, '75, '76), and he is 6th on the alltime rushing list (11,236 career yards). He played in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills (1969–77) and San Francisco 49ers (1978–79) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985). In 1994 he was charged with the brutal slaying of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald L. Goldman. After an extensive 9-month-long trial and accompanying media frenzy, he was declared not guilty in October of 1995. However, in a civil case in 1997 he was declared guilty and sentenced to pay damages to the next of kin.