NEVADA, USA — Reaction to the death of O.J. Simpson after prostate cancer. He was 76. Simpson’s family announced the news on his X account. Relatives said he died Wednesday.
___
“The only thing I have to say is it’s just further reminder of Ron being gone all these years. It’s no great loss to the world. It’s a further reminder of Ron’s being gone.” — Fred Goldman, father of Ron Goldman, to NBC News.
___
“O.J. Simpson was the first player to reach a rushing mark many thought could not be attained in a 14-game season when he topped 2,000 yards. His on-field contributions will be preserved in the hall’s archives in Canton, Ohio.” — Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter, in a statement.
___
“He died without penance. We don’t know what he has, where it is or who is in control. We will pick up where we are and keep going with it.” — David Cook, a San Francisco attorney for the Goldman family who has been seeking since 2008 to collect the civil judgment in the Ron Goldman case, in a statement.
___
“Cookie and I are praying for O.J. Simpson’s children ... and his grandchildren following his passing. I know this is a difficult time.” — Magic Johnson, on X.
___
“R.I.P. Nordberg. ‘His acting was a lot like his murdering: He got away with it, but no one believed him.’” — David Zucker, who directed Simpson in two “Naked Gun” movies, on social media.
___
“Good Riddance #OJSimpson” — Caitlyn Jenner, on X.
___
“I’m sad because, when people die you go `Oh, God, that’s terrible.’ But what happened to him, and maybe he brought it upon himself, but he was an icon in the nation. And he meant a lot (to) people doing those commercials. He did a lot for the Black race even though he didn’t know it. He wasn’t Muhammad Ali or anything, but he was doing things for athletes and not just Black athletes, but he kicked us into a really big thing. That’s what I think of him. He was a groundbreaker.” — Joe DeLamielleure, Hall of Fame offensive lineman, Simpson teammate in Buffalo, by phone to The Associated Press.
___
“The Heisman Trophy Trust mourns the passing of 1968 Heisman Trophy winner OJ Simpson. We extend our sympathy to his family.” — Official Heisman Trophy account on X.
___
“We really didn’t get along in the beginning. But eventually we became roommates and everything. So we had an outstanding relationship. We did a lot of things together. We went through a lot when he had his good years in Buffalo.” — Booker Edgerson, Simpson teammate in Buffalo, by phone to The Associated Press.
___
“I knew he was very sick, so I’m upset that he died. I got to know him fairly well during the trial. It was one of the most divisive trials in American history along racial lines. He’ll always be remembered for the Bronco chase, for the glove, and for the moment of acquittal.” — Attorney Alan Dershowitz, an adviser on Simpson’s legal “dream team,” to NBC News.