Orenthal James Simpson (born October 10, 1947) is a former American football player and actor. He played football at the University of Southern California (USC), where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in the National Football League (NFL) in 1975 and 1977. He played for both the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys of the NFL
Read more
He also played for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL) in 1976 and 1977, and for the Denver Broncos of the NFL from 1978 to 1979. The National Football League (NFL) awarded him with their MVP award in 1968 and 1977, as well as their best defensive player award in 1975. In college at USC, he won All-American honors twice, and set a long-standing record with 39 pass receptions in a single season.
During his pro career, he caught a total of 256 passes for 3,569 yards and 31 touchdowns. The most receptions by a player in a single season is 155 by Jerry Rice, while Simpson held the NFL record from 1973 through 1978 with 109 catches during one season. His total receiving yards is second best behind Rice at 33,942, while his total touchdown reception is third best behind Rice's single-season record of 18 touchdowns during one year.
In 1994 O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder charges after a highly publicized criminal trial before a jury that sparked national media attention and controversy about racial profiling by police officers during investigations into violent crimes.