Even after all the crime and controversy that have swirled around O.J. Simpson, some around the NFL still believe he could make a return
O.J. Simpson may be one of the most reviled athletes in the history of American sports to some. But to others? He’s still a vaunted gridiron hero from their childhood. Somewhere between Hertz commercials and homicide charges, his name has been somewhat erased by the National Football League. Now, several players and media members are saying that the NFL should welcome him back as one of the game’s greats – DESPITE his dark past.
Simpson, who faced a charge of double homicide for the alleged killing of his wife, Nicole Brown, and her associate, Ron Goldman, was famously acquitted in 1995, deemed ‘The Trial of the Century’.
The Juice’s innocent verdict has been mocked by pundits and comedians as an embarrassment to the justice system. But at the same time, some have viewed it as a victory of sorts for social justice.
The odyssey of O.J. from there is enough to write volumes of books about. He’s done time in prison for multiple charges since his original arrest in the 90s, and his life has become somewhat of a punchline. Even so, he makes no apologies for staying in the public eye and still maintains his innocence regarding the original murder charges.
Calls For O.J. Simpson’s Comeback
Now, controversial Kansas City columnist Jason Whitlock is putting forth the idea that Simpson needs to become more of a fixture around NFL events – particularly the annual Hall of Fame ceremonies in Canton, Ohio.
The writer – along with many retired pro players – feels as if enough time has passed now, and O.J. Simpson needs to be looked at simply as a football player. A flawed one, for sure. But a gridiron icon, nonetheless.
Whitlock has broached the question before. And it’s surprising how much of a consensus there is for O.J. to be involved in some fashion with the NFL again.
Former running back for the Indianapolis Colts Marshall Faulk told Whitlock recently that he would like to see Simpson back in the good graces of the game.
“I reached out to him, I’m like, ‘Juice, we need you. None of that matters when you on this team, you can’t be cut, you can’t die off this team,’” Faulk told Whitlock. “Regardless of what happened, he has a home at the Hall of Fame.”
Do you think the NFL should invite O.J. Simpson to take part in official events like the Hall of Fame ceremony or the Super Bowl festivities? Or should he just stay out of the public eye now? Give us your thoughts and opinions on Facebook and X.
FOLLOW RYAN K BOMAN ON X
