ESPN Excludes OJ Simpson from ESPYs Memorial Segment Amid Controversy Over BET Awards’ Tribute to Accused Double-Murderer

No, OJ Simpson was not honored alongside Willie Mays, Jerry West and Bill Walton during the ‘in memoriam’ portion of Thursday’s ESPY Awards.

Simpson is shown during the In Memoriam portion of the show at the 2024 BET Awards

Of course, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the late Buffalo Bills legend and accused murderer would go unmentioned during the segment, which was aimed at honoring the sports legends who have passed away over the last 365 days.

But that wasn’t the case earlier at this month’s BET Awards, where that network was slammed for including the scandalized ex-con, who later served nine years in prison for armed robbery before dying of cancer in April at age 76.

Simpson was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown and a her friend Ronald Goldman during the 1994 ‘trial of the century’ in Los Angeles, but was later found responsible for their deaths in a civil trial.

‘In the eyes of most people, regardless of an acquittal, OJ Simpson is a double murderer,’ Stephen A. Smith said on his podcast in response to the BET segment.

Host Serena Williams speaks on stage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre

Smith, like many, objected to Simpson’s defense attorneys accusing the LAPD of racism at his 1994 trial.

‘My attitude is this: OJ Simpson never gave a s**t about black people until he was indicted — never gave a damn,’ Smith said.

O.J. Simpson Featured in 2024 BET Awards "In Memoriam" Segment

‘Here’s the bigger issue, we should never be given a reason to talk about him again. We certainly shouldn’t be celebrating O.J. Simpson. I’m sorry. Not when two people were damn near decapitated and he was the prime suspect.’

And BET wasn’t the only major organization to honor Simpson following his death.

The Heisman Trophy’s X account also made a controversial post at the time.

O.J. Simpson Featured During 2024 BET Awards 'In Memoriam' Segment | Entertainment Tonight

‘The Heisman Trophy Trust mourns the passing of 1968 Heisman Torphy Winner OJ Simpson,’ read the post. ‘We extend our sympathy to his family.’

That post did not go down well with fans, who heavily criticized the graphic.

‘No one is mourning but you and his kids,’ one wrote.

‘Is this a parody account?’ another asked.

A different fan added: ‘My goodness……….get that resume up to date, Admin.’

ESPN avoided such criticism this week by simply omitting any mention of Simpson.

But that wasn’t the case in 1998, when host Norm Macdonald landed an infamous joke about Simpson.

The accused double murder had been ordered by the judge in his civil trial to pay the Goldman family $33.5 million, prompting Simpson to sell his Heisman at auction for a reported $255,500.

Addressing 1997 Heisman winner Charles Woodson at the 1998 ESPYs, Macdonald was sure to reference Simpson’s decision to unload his trophy.

‘And there’s Charles Woodson!’ Macdonald said during his monologue. ‘How about that? What a season he had. He became the first defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. Congratulations, Charles, that is something that no one can ever take away from you.’

Macdonald paused for effect before adding: ‘Unless you kill your wife and a waiter, in which case, all bets are off.’

Related Posts

Nazi Secrets, Alien Allegations, and Hidden Technologies

In the aftermath of World War II, the fascination with advanced Nazi technology has persisted, fueling speculation and intrigue across the globe. Tales of clandestine projects, revolutionary weaponry, and purported collaboration with extraterrestrial …

Read more

In Northern Siberia, Chest Discovered with Two Skulls of Possible Extraterrestrial Origin

Deep within the remote wilderness of southern Russia, where vast landscapes and dense forests stretch as far as the eye can see, a discovery that would defy explanation unfolded. A group of adventurous hikers stumbled upon an ancient chest hidden …

Read more

13-Million-Year-Old Fossil Skeleton of 73-Foot Female Blue Whale Unearthed!

Paleontologists have ᴜпeагtһed the 13-million-year-old fossil ѕkeɩetoп of a 73-foot-long female blue whale , one of the largest and most remarkable prehistoric discoveries of its kind. The fossilized remains of this ancient whale offer a гагe glimpse …

Read more

Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life?

From ancient times, humanity has been fascinated by what lies beyond our planet, and Mars has always held a special allure. Despite being much smaller than Earth, Mars shares many geological similarities, including polar ice caps and what appear …

Read more

Ex-Chief Gehrig Dieter Shares Heartwarming Photos of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Bonding with His Daughter

Travis Kelce’s former teammate and close friend Gehrig Dieter posted a sweet picture of Taylor Swift with his 3-year-old daughter at the Yankees-Guardians game. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver shared …

Read more

Tatuajes para Hombres en el Brazo: Diseños que Marcan Estilo

Uno de los lugares de tatuajes más populares tanto para hombres como para mujeres es el brazo. Los tatuajes son una de las formas más famosas de expresarse o mostrar sus creencias. Los brazos son una de las partes más visibles de su cuerpo y pueden decir …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *