Orenthal James "O. J." Simpson (born July 9, 1947), also known by his nickname, The Juice, is a retired American football player who earned infamy for having been tried for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. He originally attained stardom as a running back at the collegiate and professional levels, and was the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He later worked as an actor, spokesman and broadcaster.

Simpson was acquitted of the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1995 after a lengthy, highly publicized criminal trial (see O. J. Simpson murder case). In 1997, Simpson was found liable for their wrongful deaths in civil court, but to date he has paid little of the $33.5 million judgment. blank">O.J. Simpson ordered to stop spending He gained further notoriety in late 2006 when he wrote a book titled _If I Did It. The book, which purports to be a first-person fictional account of the murder had he actually committed it, was withdrawn by the publisher just before its release. The book was later released by the Goldman family and the title of the book was expanded to If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer (ISBN 978-0825305887).

In September 2007, Simpson faced more legal troubles, as he was arrested and subsequently charged with numerous felonies, including but not limited to robbery with a deadly weapon, burglary with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon (which carries possible life sentence), coercion with use of a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

A computer game (from Banana Productions) entitled "O.J.'s All- American Race to Acquittal" debuted in January 1995, and reveals among other things that O.J.'s full name, Orenthal James Simpson, is an anagram of "O.J. on simple harassment.".

Implicated for the murder of his wife, 1994. Found not guilty after trial and 1 year of confinement-1995.

Football player turned actor/sportscaster

(4 Feb 1997) Held liable for the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman by a jury in a civil suit. The judgment returned held Simpson responsible for compensatory damages to the Goldmans in the amount of 8.5 million dollars.

Children by first wife, Marguerite L. Whitley: Arnelle L. Simpson (born 4 December 1968) Jason L. Simpson (born 21 April 1970) Aaren Lashone Simpson (24 September 1977 - 26 August 1979) (drowned in family swimming pool)

Children by second wife, Nicole Brown: Sydney Brooke Simpson (born 17 October 1985) Justin Ryan Simpson (born 6 August 1988)

Was in a street gang called The Persian Kings c. 1954.

Was working on a TV movie entitled Frogmen (1994) (TV) shortly before the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. It was reportedly designed to be a pilot for a proposed series, but has never aired.

Won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 as a halfback for the University of Southern California.

When he retired in 1979, he held the following NFL records: rushing yards in a season with 2,003 (since broken by Eric Dickerson), and touchdowns in a season with 23 (since broken by John Riggins in 1983).

Running back for the Buffalo Bills (1969-1977) and San Francisco 49ers (1978-1979).

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

Was considered for the title role in The Terminator, but producers feared he was "too nice" to be taken seriously as a cold-blooded killer.

Ranks 16th on NFL All-Time Rushing Attempts List (2,404).

Ranks 14th on NFL All-Time Rushing Yardage List (11,236).

Ranks 21st on NFL All-Time Rushing Average List (4.674).

Tied for 30th with Herschel Walker on NFL All-Time Rushing Touchdowns List (61).

During his 1998 guest appearance on "Ruby Wax Show, The" (1997), Simpson pretended to stab host Ruby Wax with a banana while mimicking the theme music from Psycho (1960).

Howard Stern (I)'s book "Miss America" was originally titled "Getting Away With Murder" and had a photo of O.J. and Stern (taken at Donald Trump's wedding) on the cover.

At the height of his football fame, polls indicated he was one of the top 3 most recognized faces in North America.

A Hungarian metal band (Húsdaráló Project) wrote a song about him.

Nicole Brown Simpson appeared as a bus passenger in an uncredited role in the made-for-TV movie Detour to Terror (1980) (TV) starring O.J. Simpson.

Was Ahmad Rashad's best man at his 1985 wedding to Phylicia Rashad.

The first pro football player to grace the cover of "Rolling Stone" (September 8, 1977).

The second professional athlete to host "Saturday Night Live" (1975) (February 25, 1978). He was the only former host not invited to attend the show's 25th Anniversary Special.