O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner, died on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 due to metastatic prostate cancer, as confirmed by his longtime attorney Malcolm LaVergne to PEOPLE on April 26. Simpson’s family announced his passing on X (formerly Twitter) the day after his death.
Simpson, who was the first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973, had been battling prostate cancer since May 2023. Despite believing he had overcome the disease, the cancer returned aggressively, ultimately claiming his life.
Prostate cancer disproportionately affects African American men, who have a higher incidence and mortality rate compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This health disparity highlights the need for increased awareness, early detection, and access to quality healthcare for underrepresented communities.
While celebrated for his athletic achievements, Simpson’s legacy was overshadowed by his highly publicized double-murder trial in 1995, in which he was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. Although acquitted of the criminal charges, Simpson was found liable in a civil lawsuit filed by the victims’ families and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.
See “O.J. Simpson’s Cause of Death Revealed” (April 26, 2024)
