O.J. Simpson dead at 76: Revisiting the infamous white Bronco chase that changed media in America

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A former star running back who experienced one of the most epic rises and falls in sports and media history, O.J. Simpson died Wednesday at 76 years old. Simpson was one of the most infamous figures in American history. He was a Heisman Trophy winner, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft and an NFL MVP who was eventually inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame only to become a broadcaster, actor and TV pitchman after his playing career. 

All that Simpson achieved professionally eventually took a back seat when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman, were killed on June 12, 1994. Simpson was eventually acquitted of a double murder charge after a trial that rocked the nation, but before he turned himself into authorities, he took off on a car chase that stands even today as one of the most pivotal events in American media history.

Here’s what else transpired in the sports world on a day most will never forget: June 17, 1994.

Arnold Palmer played his final round at the 1994 U.S. OpenKen Griffey Jr. tied Babe Ruth’s record for hitting the most home runs before June 30The New York Rangers participated in their Stanley Cup Finals victory paradeThe World Cup began in ChicagoGame 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks took place

All of these events were thrown to the wayside as Simpson, driven by friend Al Cowlings, took off on a northbound car ride through California that same afternoon.

The chase

After Simpson became a person of interest in the double murder, the Los Angeles Police Department acquired a warrant for his arrest. Simpson’s attorneys reached a deal with law enforcement for the former Buffalo Bills and USC star to turn himself in to authorities, which was supposed to transpire at 11 a.m. that day, as documented by ESPN’s “O.J.: Made in America.”

Simpson never showed, which led…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/o-j-simpson-dead-at-76-revisiting-the-infamous-white-bronco-chase-that-changed-media-in-america/

Author : Jordan Dajani

Publish date : 2024-04-11 21:21:46

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