Before June 17, 1994, OJ Simpson was known strictly as a phenomenal NFL running back, sometimes actor and rising NBC Sports analyst.
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But that day changed how we would view him forever.
As relayed by Austin Nivison of CBS Sports, Monday marked 30 years to the day of the famous Simpson car chase in Los Angeles. He was wanted for the questioning in the murders of ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
"Just hours after murder charges were filed against Simpson, LAPD commander David Gascon held a press conference saying that authorities were searching for the former NFL MVP,' Nivision wrote. "Gascon noted that the department was currently in "pursuit" of Simpson, who had not turned himself in after charges were filed. Gascon added that he had spoken his lawyer, Robert Shapiro, about getting Simpson into custody. 'We spoke to Mr. [Robert] Shapiro, we expressed our dismay and we indicated to him that we expect to see Mr. Simpson immediately, if not sooner,' Gascon said when asked about his whereabouts."
About four hours later, the pursuit of Simpson in the White Ford Bronco, driven by friend Al Cowlings, began. That chase actually started just moments before Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.
"Things really began to spiral out of control when Simpson and his friend, Al 'AC' Cowlings, fled from police in the former's white Ford Bronco," Nivison wrote. "The low-speed chase lasted a couple of hours and covered roughly 60 miles of California pavement. The chase was shown live on every news broadcast in America.
"Simpson had a gun in the car with him, but police eventually talked him down and allowed him to return home without incident. Mobs of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the chase or see Simpson as he fled from the authorities. The chase finally ended when he pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m."
He eventually was charged with the murder of both his ex-wife and Goldman. The murder trial began in January 19i95 and lasted until October —when he was acquitted in perhaps the most publicized case in American history.
"In 1997, Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and battery in a civil lawsuit filed and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in damages to the families of Brown Simpson and Goldman," Nivison wrote. "The case has remained a point of interest throughout the years, and it has become the subject of multiple TV shows and documentaries. On April 10, 2024, Simpson died at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer."
