OJ Simpson, the former football great who was tried and acquitted of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend, has died from cancer. He was 76.

OJ Simpson was a star NCAA running back at the University of Southern California. He won a Heisman Trophy in 1968. 

Simpson also known as "Juice" spent 11 seasons as a record-breaking player with the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. After his NFL career his celebrity grew as a sportscaster, and movie and TV actor. He was also the corporate spokesman for Hertz rental cars.

Simpson and his wife Nicole had a volatile relationship. And divorced after seven years of marriage. 

Police reports of domestic violence and Nicole’s diaries and photos of her injuries later became evidence at his trial.

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 Aftermath of the Murder

On June 12, 1994, Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were brutally stabbed outside of the Nicole’s home in Brentwood. 

Days later police asked the former football star to turn himself in for the murders.

An estimated 95 million Americans watched as Simpson's white Ford Bronco led police on the 405 for a two hour 60-mile televised chase through Los Angeles.

Simpson’s friend Al Cowlings was driving the low-speed chase with Simpson in the back seat with a gun, threatening suicide.

O.J. Simpson Trials

It was one of the first courtroom events shown on TV to a national audience. The world was captivated by the live televised drama. And LA experienced intermittent rioting of people upset that he was being accused of the murder.

Royal Oakes, the media attorney who convinced the judge to let TV news cameras into the courtroom would later recount, "We were fortunate to convince Judge Lance Ito to keep the cameras running in spite of the showboating, but we certainly paid a steep price. For years after the Simpson trial, it was extremely difficult to get judges to give a green light to cameras."

Simpson's high profile defense team included Robert Kardashian and Johnny Cochran.

At one point in the trial, he tried on a bloody glove found at the crime scene. Standing before a packed courtroom he struggled to put his hand inside of the glove. Later Cochran argued to the jury that, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.’’

Simpson was ultimately acquitted of the murders in October 1995.

After his acquittal he faced a civil trial brought by Nicole’s family. He was found liable for the deaths with a judgement of $33.5 million. He didn’t pay most of the money to them.

In 2007, Simpson was arrested for armed robbery. He led a group of men into a Las Vegas hotel and casino to steal, at gunpoint, what he claims were his own sports memorabilia. 

Simpson was found guilty. He was paroled in 2017 after serving 9-years in prison.

Death Announced

On Thursday Simpson's children announced his death from cancer.

"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace," a statement from his family said.