OJ Simpson: Iconic sports figure acquitted of murder in 'trial of the century' passes away at 76

OJ Simpson, the renowned American football legend and former Hollywood actor, passed away at the age of 76. Simpson, who rose to fame through his remarkable football career and later ventured into acting, left a complicated legacy marked by scandal and legal battles. He was acquitted in the infamous murder trial of his ex-wife and her friend, a case widely referred to as the 'trial of the century.' His death was confirmed by his attorney to TMZ, and he passed away on Wednesday night in Las Vegas.

A statement released on Simpson’s official X account — previously known as Twitter — on Thursday revealed that he succumbed to cancer. “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren,” the statement disclosed, highlighting his final moments surrounded by family.

Simpson’s journey to fame began on the football field as a standout tailback for the University of Southern California in the late 1960s, where he not only showcased his athletic prowess but also became a celebrated figure across racial divides. His career trajectory continued to ascend as he became a familiar face in advertising, famously darting through airports in a series of commercials for a car rental company in the late 1970s. Beyond his professional life, Simpson was known for his marriage in the 1980s to Nicole Brown Simpson, a blonde, blue-eyed high school homecoming queen, which placed him further in the public eye.

However, Simpson's legacy took a dark turn in June 1994 when he was accused of the brutal knife murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles. His arrest was televised live, featuring a now-infamous slow-speed chase that captivated millions and marked a dramatic fall from grace for the once-admired sports hero.

Despite his acquittal in the criminal trial, Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil trial, an outcome that further complicated public perceptions of his character. Throughout his later life, Simpson's name remained synonymous with one of the most publicized legal sagas in American history.

Simpson's statement, “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.,” which he often shared with friends, became emblematic of his complex identity and relationship with fame. His death closes a chapter on a life that encapsulated the highs of sports and entertainment glory as well as the depths of legal and personal turmoil.

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(With AP inputs)