The name O.J. Simpson brings in a lot of thoughts and memories. Some still see him sitting down in the courtroom as a criminal defendant, while others still see that one kid from northern California who took the NFL by surprise.
Simpson, also known as “The Juice’” passed away on April 11, 2024, leaving us with a legacy filled with memorable moments.
“I want to thank God for when I think about history and all the great people for allowing me to live at a time when such basic talents of body functions as running and jumping would be worthy of applause,” Simpson said during his Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech.
“I want to thank all the fans, especially those in Buffalo. They were out there when I couldn’t see the other goal line, when I couldn’t see the sidelines and there were 80,000 of ‘em in the stands and I just want all the fans in the NFL to know how much I appreciate it. No matter what stadium I would play in, you cheered me and made me feel appreciated and welcome,” he added.
Simpson was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. While his encounters with law enforcement remain ingrained in the minds of many Americans, so does his unique talent.
Before becoming a questionable figure in the eyes of America, Simpson brought a lot of happiness to football fans all over the country. “The Juice” was born in San Francisco, in a small neighborhood in Potrero Hill. From a young age, Simpson was predestined to become someone great.
That is exactly what happened. Before transferring to USC In 1967, Simpson played football for the City College of San Francisco but his life changed when he moved to the bright and sunny city of Los Angeles.
At USC, Simpson had an immediate impact on the team with his skillful running ability, helping with a total of 3,423 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns in his two seasons for the Trojans.
In those two years, Simpson led the nation in rushing yards and was a two-time All-American, an honor given to outstanding college football players annually.
The USC football team benefited from having Simpson’s unique athletic ability on their team and in 1967 they won their sixth national championship. The following year in 1968 the momentum didn’t slow down. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy, an award that every college football player dreams of winning one day.
“I can’t imagine any school educating a guy and preparing him for the world more than USC did me. They allowed me to play on some great teams there. We won a national championship, broke a world record in track. I want to thank John McKay for the confidence he showed in me. He let me carry the ball. He taught me about running the football,” Simpson said during his Pro Football Hall of Fame speech.
In 1969, after just two years at USC, Simpson took his talent to Buffalo and demonstrated why there was a lot of fuss about this little kid from San Francisco. Once he arrived in New York, Simpson had an immediate impact on the Bills.
Although Buffalo was not an amazing team, Simpson made the team watchable as he evolved into becoming one of the best running backs in the National Football League. Between 1972 and 1976, Simpson enjoyed his time in the NFL leading the league in rushing yards four out of the five years.
In 1973, Simpson reached the pinnacle of his career, breaking the single-season rushing record previously held by Jim Brown. That same year he won the MVP award of the season, solidifying his status as one of the most exceptional players in NFL history.
Simpson played for the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons and the San Francisco 49ers for two years. In those 11 years, Simpson only made the postseason once.
Simpson finished his career with 11,236 rushing yards, 67 touchdowns, one MVP season, and countless records with his name on it. In 1973, he became the first running back to rush for 2,000 yards or more (2,003 yards) in an NFL season. Simpson is a clear example of talent, dedication, and raw athleticism.
His ability to change the course of a game in an instant will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of the football fans who grew up watching him play. His legacy as a player is not only reflected in the statistics and records he shattered but also in the mark he left on the hearts of football fans all over the country.
“I want to tell you that I know now already in my heart and in my memories the things that I will miss the most about this game is the sound of your applause and your cheers,” Simpson said at the close of his enshrinement speech.
Rest in Peace Orenthal James Simpson
Source of O.J. Simpson’s Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement speech: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Top image caption: Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson (32) carries the ball against the New York Jets during an NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 1973, in the Queens borough of N.Y. During this game, Simpson broke the single season NFL rushing record with 2003 yards. (Tony Tomsic via AP)

I’m Daniel Herrera, a native of Los Angeles. I’ll be graduating from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills in May 2024. I’ve developed a profound interest in storytelling, broadcasting, photography, and sports, particularly soccer and basketball. My aspiration is to get a career that allows me to travel the globe covering soccer matches. With the skills and expertise I’ve cultivated, my ultimate goal is to become an on-the-field sports reporter.
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