OJ Simpson is one of the most iconic players in NFL history. As a player, he was apparently the only running back in history to ever lead the league in rushing yards and touchdowns in one season with 2,003 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns during his 1973 NFL MVP campaign. As a person, he has been at the center of some of the most memorable moments in sports history.
The first NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season was OJ Simpson. He accomplished this feat by rushing for 2,003 yards and 23 touchdowns.
What nfl team did oj simpson play for
Aside from his accomplishments on the field, Simpson was also a pioneer in sports and entertainment. He is credited with popularizing the “Touchdown dance,” and his catchphrase of “I’m just trying to live” became synonymous with him.
Simpson graduated from City College of San Francisco in 1967 and served in the United States Army before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in 1969. By 1972 he played for the Cleveland Browns, an NFL team.
The impact his trial had on the league
Some of his most memorable moments include the “Trial of the Century” where he was tried for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her lover, Ron Goldman. He was found not guilty; however, he had to do time in prison for other felonies.
The trial had a big impact on Simpson’s football career. After 1 game with The Buffalo Bills he retired, but after 3 seasons with The Montreal Alouettes Simpson decided to come back to play in the NFL.
He returned to The Buffalo Bills for one season before retiring again.
The trial also impacted his personal life when he was kidnapped from a hotel room in Las Vegas in 2008 and held for ransom. His kidnapping might have been motivated by some of the infamous stories that circulated about him after the trial.
During this time, Simpson was found guilty on 12 counts of felony robbery, assault, burglary, kidnapping and weapons charges. So, even though Simpson’s NFL career did not last long after the trial, his impact on the league is still remembered today.
Sports Illustrated “Instant Replay” Issue (1973)
One of the most infamous moments during OJ Simpson’s career was his Sports Illustrated “Instant Replay” issue from 1973. In this magazine, he broke down the nuances of football and gave you a taste of what it was like to be an elite player.
He won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and 1969 while playing football at USC. OJ Simpson accomplished the feat of running for over 2,000 yards in 1973 while playing for the Buffalo Bills.
His last game with an NFL team was on December 16th, 1977 when he played his final professional game with the San Francisco 49ers. After retiring from pro-football, Simpson went into acting and starred in “The Naked Gun” movies.
In 1995, Simpson was accused of the murders of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ronald Goldman
In 1995, Simpson was accused of the murders of Nicole Brown-Simpson and Ronald Goldman. He was acquitted on October 3, 1995 after a trial that ended with a jury deadlocked at 10-2 for conviction, but that result technically became moot because he had been granted immunity during an earlier civil suit case brought against him by the Brown family.
Conclusion
OJ Simpson has had an iconic career in the NFL. He was a pioneer of sports and entertainment, breaking down football nuances for SI through his “Instant Replay” article back in 1973. He won the Heisman Trophy playing at USC while gaining 2,003 yards with 23 touchdowns during his MVP season with the Buffalo Bills that same year.
