O.J. Simpson Excluded From “In Memoriam” at NFL Honors

Former star running back of the Buffalo Bills, Orenthal “O.J.” Simpson, died of cancer on April 10th of 2024, at the age of 76, with, admittedly, a conflicting legacy. 

“The Juice,” Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, name on the Wall of Fame at the Bills’ Highmark Stadium, and wildly charismatic and popular public figure who went on to star in a variety of endorsement commercials and movie cameos in his retirement, is more widely known for something entirely different. 

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Simpson’s legacy was tarnished after standing trial for the double murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, with whom he had two children, along with her friend, Ronald Goldman, back in 1995. Millions around the globe had their eyes glued to the high-profile trial day in and day out. 

Simpson was eventually acquitted for the crimes, only years later to be convicted to 33 years in prison for a 2007 Las Vegas hotel robbery. 

Simpson was released from his incarceration in 2021 due to good behavior, but it seems as though his legacy never recovered.

NFL Honors "Snubs" O.J. Simpson During “In Memoriam” Segment

During Thursday Night’s NFL Honors award show, Simpson was noticeably absent from the sentimental “In Memoriam” segment that honors NFL players, coaches, and other popular figures who had passed away over the last year. 

NFL fans watched as legends such as broadcaster Greg Gumbel, longtime Chicago Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, and fellow hall-of-famer Jim Otto were featured in the somber segment, however, Simpson’s likeness never showed up on screen during the approximately 4-minute tribute.

Was it an issue of time, and they didn’t have room to include him? Or is it an obvious slight to the former NFL star-turned-villain? 

Either way, we have a hard time believing a record-setting Buffalo Bills running back and hall-of-famer would “forget” to be included in a major segment that honored so many NFL greats who lost their lives in 2024. 

For the few O.J. Simpson fans that still remain in Buffalo, his name still decorates Highmark Stadium–  for now. But based on the reaction from the NFL, we can be pretty sure we won’t be seeing it once the new stadium is complete in 2026.