Former NFL running back O.J. Simpson has been cremated in Las Vegas after his death at the age of 76. Attorney Malcolm LaVergne supervised a private gathering at the Palm Downtown Mortuary & Cemetery with relatives and friends in attendance. Simpson, famously acquitted in the double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, passed away from prostate cancer. It was announced that Simpson’s cremains would be given to his children to do with as they please, in accordance with their father’s wishes. There are no plans for a public memorial.
LaVergne, who visited Simpson before Easter at his country club home near the Las Vegas Strip, described Simpson as alert and hanging out, drinking beer, and catching up on the news. A doctor informed LaVergne on April 5 that Simpson was “transitioning,” and by the following week, Simpson only had enough strength to request water and to choose to watch a TV golf tournament rather than a tennis match. Simpson ultimately succumbed to cancer on April 10, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. There are no intentions from Simpson’s family to donate his brain to CTE research, despite the ongoing debate surrounding the links between former NFL players and the degenerative brain disease.
The Boston University CTE Center reported in 2023 that 92% of the 376 former NFL players they studied were found to have CTE. The Mayo Clinic defines CTE as a condition likely caused by repeated head injuries, adding to the ongoing concerns about the long-term effects of playing football. LaVergne clarified that Simpson’s family has firmly rejected any requests to donate his brain for research purposes. The NFL continues to grapple with the issue of player safety and the implications of head injuries on long-term health.
Simpson’s passing marks the end of a tumultuous life that included his infamous murder trial in the 1990s. Despite being acquitted in the criminal case, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Brown Simpson and Goldman in a civil suit. His legacy, marred by legal troubles and controversies, continues to be a subject of public fascination. Simpson’s death sparked renewed interest in his life and the many controversies that have surrounded him, making headlines once again. The lack of a public memorial for Simpson reflects the complicated legacy he leaves behind.
The executor of Simpson’s estate, Malcolm LaVergne, oversaw the private cremation ceremony in Las Vegas, attended by close family and friends. Simpson’s battle with cancer ended on April 10, leading to his passing at the age of 76. Despite his enduring legacy as a former NFL star and the central figure in a high-profile murder trial, Simpson’s final wishes were for his cremains to be given to his children. The refusal to donate Simpson’s brain for research purposes highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the long-term effects of head injuries in football and the need for further study on conditions like CTE.
