The Final Score: How O.J. Simpson Died And The Last Days Of 'The Juice'

The world closed a complex chapter of American history on April 10, 2024, with the death of Orenthal James "O.J." Simpson. The former NFL star, actor, and central figure in the "Trial of the Century" passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. His death was officially attributed to complications from a long battle with cancer, bringing a quiet end to a life that had been anything but. The news of his passing, announced by his family on the current date, confirmed the speculation surrounding his declining health in the preceding months. While he was known for downplaying his illness in his final public messages, the reality was a quiet, domestic decline, far removed from the sensationalism that defined his public life for decades. This article dives deep into the definitive cause of death, the timeline of his final illness, and a complete biography of the man known as "The Juice."

O.J. Simpson: A Full Biography and Profile

Orenthal James Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California. His life was a dramatic arc from athletic glory to cultural notoriety.

Key Biographical Details

• Full Name: Orenthal James Simpson
• Nickname: "The Juice"
• Date of Birth: July 9, 1947
• Date of Death: April 10, 2024
• Age at Death: 76
• Place of Death: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cause of Death: Cancer (Prostate Cancer)
• Education: University of Southern California (USC)
• NFL Career: Running back for the Buffalo Bills (1969–1977) and San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979)
• Career Highlights: Heisman Trophy winner (1968), First player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single NFL season (1973), Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (1985).
• Post-NFL Career: Actor, sports commentator, and commercial pitchman.
• Major Legal Events: Acquitted in the 1995 murder trial of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman; found liable in a 1997 civil suit; convicted in 2008 for armed robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas, serving nine years in prison.

The Rise to Fame and the Fall from Grace

Simpson first rose to national prominence as a standout running back at the University of Southern California (USC), where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He was the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft, beginning a storied career with the Buffalo Bills. His 1973 season, where he became the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards, cemented his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. Following his retirement from football, Simpson transitioned into a successful career as an actor and a prominent commercial spokesman, becoming a beloved and ubiquitous figure in American pop culture. The trajectory of his life irrevocably changed in June 1994 with the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The subsequent low-speed police chase in the white Ford Bronco and the televised 1995 criminal trial captivated the world and became a landmark event in American legal and media history. Although acquitted of the criminal charges, he was later found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil lawsuit.

The Definitive Cause of Death: Prostate Cancer Battle

O.J. Simpson died due to complications stemming from prostate cancer. This specific diagnosis had been a private struggle for the former athlete for some time, though details only became public in the months leading up to his passing.

Timeline of the Final Illness

The timeline of Simpson's final health battle was marked by a private diagnosis and a public effort to downplay the severity of his condition:

• 2023: Simpson publicly announced that he had "caught cancer." While he did not initially specify the type, reports later confirmed it was prostate cancer.
• February 2024: Reports surfaced that Simpson was undergoing chemotherapy for prostate cancer. He posted a video on social media around Super Bowl weekend, which would be his last public message, where he appeared to be in good spirits and downplayed his health issues.
• March 2024: Rumors of his declining health intensified, though he continued to receive treatment and maintained a low profile at his Las Vegas residence.
• April 10, 2024: O.J. Simpson passed away at his home, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

The family's official statement requested privacy and confirmed that he had succumbed to his battle with cancer. His remains were later cremated, concluding the life of one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century.

O.J. Simpson’s Final Days: A Quiet End in Las Vegas

In stark contrast to the chaos and media frenzy that shadowed much of his adult life, O.J. Simpson's final days were described as surprisingly peaceful and domestic.

Life After Parole

After serving nine years in a Nevada prison for a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping conviction, Simpson was released on parole in 2017. He spent the remainder of his life in a gated community in Las Vegas, attempting to live a relatively normal existence away from the constant spotlight. His attorney and those close to him described his final months as a slow decline, yet one where he remained "alert and chilling" until the very end.

The Last Moments

Details emerging from his close circle paint a picture of quiet comfort in his final hours:

• Domestic Routine: He reportedly spent his last days relaxing on his couch, watching television, and specifically enjoying golf.
• Simple Pleasures: In one account, his final moments involved "drinking beer and watching TV" before his health suddenly deteriorated.
• Family Presence: Crucially, he was visited by his loved ones, including his children, who were with him when he passed. This provided a sense of closure and peace for the family, despite the complex history.

This peaceful, domestic end stood in stark opposition to the dramatic, public spectacle that had defined his life from the moment of the Bronco chase forward. The final chapter of O.J. Simpson’s life was ultimately a private battle with illness, concluding a legacy that remains one of the most debated and discussed in modern American history.

The Complex Legacy of 'The Juice'

The death of O.J. Simpson reignited a national conversation about his controversial life. He is remembered simultaneously as an electrifying, record-breaking NFL superstar and as the primary suspect in one of the most infamous double murders in American history. His career, which included a Heisman Trophy and a Hall of Fame induction, is often overshadowed by the legal and cultural impact of the 1994-1995 trial. The case exposed deep fissures in American society regarding race, celebrity justice, and the media's role in the legal system. Ultimately, the death of Orenthal James Simpson from prostate cancer in April 2024 marked the end of a life that embodied the highest highs of celebrity and the lowest lows of public disgrace. The focus now shifts from the sensationalism of his trials to the definitive facts of his passing, forever linking the name O.J. Simpson to a legacy that will be debated for generations to come.