11-4-2024 (NEW YORK) O.J. Simpson, one of the most notorious high-profile Americans in history, has succumbed to cancer after a protracted battle with the disease.

The former NFL icon, who gained notoriety during the sensational trial for the double-murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in the ’90s, breathed his last on Wednesday in Las Vegas, as confirmed by his family. Simpson, 74, was surrounded by his children and grandchildren at the time of his passing, his attorney also affirmed to TMZ.

Reports suggest that Simpson had been grappling with prostate cancer in recent years, with his health declining precipitously in recent months, necessitating hospice care.

Rumours of Simpson’s cancer diagnosis initially surfaced in February, with local outlets reporting the news. However, Simpson had been evasive about his health status, denying reports of being in hospice care but refraining from addressing the cancer allegations directly. The revelation of his cancer diagnosis last year in a video he posted on X, where he cryptically mentioned having “caught” a form of cancer but hinted at overcoming it, added to the intrigue surrounding his health condition.

In the lead-up to his demise, Simpson appeared increasingly frail, as observed during public sightings, notably in January when he was seen relying on a cane.

The last communication from Simpson came in the form of a video discussing Super Bowl LVIII, where he expressed support for his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. Despite his ailing health, Simpson appeared upbeat in the video, filmed from the backyard of a residence.

Simpson’s life was marked by a mix of triumphs and controversies. Prior to his legal troubles, he enjoyed an illustrious career in football, earning accolades as a Heisman winner from USC and achieving legendary status as a Buffalo Bills player. Beyond sports, Simpson transitioned into Hollywood, establishing himself as a prominent figure in movies and television, notably serving as the face of Hertz in advertising campaigns for years.

However, Simpson’s legacy will forever be entwined with the notorious trial that captivated the nation in the ’90s. Following the brutal murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, Simpson became embroiled in a legal saga that culminated in the Trial of the Century. Despite being acquitted of the criminal charges, Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil trial and ordered to pay substantial damages to the victims’ families.

In the years that followed, Simpson faced a litany of legal troubles, including his involvement in a 2007 incident in Las Vegas, resulting in a conviction and imprisonment. Upon his release on parole in 2017, Simpson retreated to a relatively quiet life in Las Vegas, occasionally expressing his opinions on various issues through social media platforms.

Despite the controversies that defined his life, Simpson continued to garner attention from fans, albeit tarnished by the shadow of his past transgressions. Yet, he remained a polarising figure, with some steadfastly supporting him even in the aftermath of his legal woes.

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