Pro Football Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson died with only one person at his bed side despite a previous claim that he was surrounded by "children and grandchildren," his longtime attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, clarified to the Associated Press last week.
LaVergne, who also backtracked claims that the family of Ron Goldman wouldn't get the money owed by Simpson's estate as part of a $33.5 million payout in a wrongful death civil lawsuit, said only "a close family member" was present when the former NFL MVP had died, though declining to reveal who it was.
“You have to remember that they’ve shared O.J. with the world their entire lives,” LaVergne said of Simpson's surviving adult children of his marriages to Marguerite Whitley (1967-79) and Nicole Brown Simpson (1985-92), whom he was accused of killing along with Goldman in 1994. “At first they shared good O.J. But still he was famous. And then, in 1994 on, they kind of had to share bad boy O.J. with the world. But at the end of the day, these children just lost a father. And they have the added burden that he is one of the most famous people on the planet, and who is polarizing and who is surrounded by controversy.”
Simpson's family revealed his death in a statement shared on his X account on April 11.
"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. -The Simpson Family," the post states.
Simpson's 1994-95 murder trial and 2008 prison sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping have overshadowed a Hall of Fame football and acting post-retirement acting careers, which he has unsuccessfully attempted to restore though his social media presence, launching his X account just over a year after being released from jail on parole. Simpson was found "not guilty" for the deaths of Goldman and Brown in 1995, despite being later unanimously found liable in a civil trial for the wrongful death of and battery against Goldman and battery against Brown, and was later sentenced to 33 years in prison with the possibility of (granted) parole after nine years on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery for a separate incident in 2008.
Simpson recorded 11,236 yards, placing him second all-time when he retired (now 21st) and was the 1973 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to record 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, while also recording an NFL-best 12 rushing touchdowns. The California native led the NFL in rushing yards during three other seasons and was a five-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, as well as a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time team.
Simpson also had a successful acting career, which included roles in 'The Naked Gun' film series, as well as serving as an analyst for NBC Sports prior to his murder trial. The former Heisman Trophy winner recently appeared a regular guest on the 'It Is What It Is' podcast hosted by rappers Cam'ron and Mase and co-host Treasure Wilson, which included comparing New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury to the 9/11 attacks, which was met with criticism.
Simpson also shared a video in which he implied his prison sentence for kidnapping and armed robbery was harsher than the one given to former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III in August.
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