O.J. Simpson, a former NFL player and actor, died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, his family announced. Simpson became a controversial figure following his acquittal in the 1995 murder trial for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Despite his criminal trial acquittal, he was later found liable for their deaths in a civil trial and was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages.

The 1994 criminal trial, known as the “Trial of the Century,” was highly publicized, revealing deep national divisions over racial and justice issues. The trial featured a dramatic slow-speed car chase involving Simpson, which was broadcast live and watched by millions. This event and subsequent trial highlighted his stark fall from grace from a celebrated sports and media personality to a central figure in a murder case.

In 2008, Simpson faced further legal troubles when he was convicted for armed robbery and conspiracy to kidnap, from which he was later released on parole.

Simpson’s attorney, Alan Dershowitz, expressed regret at his passing, reflecting the complex feelings surrounding Simpson’s troubled legacy. Simpson leaves behind a divisive legacy, with his life story serving as a focal point for discussions on fame, race, and justice in America.