HE WAS one of the greatest players in a country where sports stars are close to gods. Swift and strong, charismatic and good-looking – he had it all.
And when OJ Simpson died recently of prostate cancer, obituary writers charted his astonishing rise to fame as one of the world’s most gifted athletes.
But it was all the other stuff that stood out the most.
The lingering questions about what really happened the night his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, was stabbed to death outside her Los Angeles home.
How OJ led authorities on a dramatic two-hour chase along an LA interstate, cowering in the back seat of a friend’s Ford Bronco, holding a gun to his head and refusing to surrender to authorities. Then his trial, which polarised America and eventually saw him being acquitted.
Here’s a look back at OJ’s controversial life.
A STAR IS BORN
Orenthal James Simpson grew up in San Francisco, the son of Eunice, who worked as an administrator at a psychiatric hospital, and Jimmy, a cook, security guard and drag queen.
From an early age he excelled in track and field and football.
After high school he attended the City College of San Francisco before enrolling at the University of Southern California and rising to fame as a footballer.
In 1968 he won the Heisman Trophy for best player, paving the way for him to join the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills for nine seasons before moving to the San Francisco 49ers for two seasons.
OJ-or The Juice as he was nicknamed-was known for dancing, dodging and delivering on the field and became one of the most popular sports stars of his generation.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 25 April 2024 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 25 April 2024 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
MR COOL
Rocker Lenny Kravitz has just turned 60-and he's as much of a sex symbol as ever
LAST RALLY FOR RAFA
Nadal's early exit from RolandGarros calls into question his Grand Slam future. We look back at his smash-hit career
BEYOND THE MOUSTACHE
Tom Selleckon Magnum, peta Oe handsome for Hollywood and why he wishes people would realise theres mor to him than his famous facial hair
HOPE FOR DEMENTIA
More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia and it's estimated this number will double every 20 years. But researchers believe there's light at the end of the tunnel
HE'S GOT THE X-FACTOR!
Eric's record-breaking collection of X-Men memorabilia is worth a small fortune
MADE FROM SCRATCH
Every morsel of food Nara feeds her family is homemade - but not everyone is impressed
INNOCENT'S GOT TALENT
South African tenor wins hearts in London with his impressive opera skills
'NOBODY LISTENED'
These sisters say they were sexually abused 50 years ago by family friends - and they want their day in court
THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
The votes have been cast, counted and announced, but is South Africa ready for a new government? The experts think so
A LOW PROFILE
Cancer-stricken Kate isn't rushing her return to public life but behind the scenes she's keeping busy with work and family life