Following the announcement of OJ Simpson’s passing at the age of 76, social media platforms have become abuzz with calls for his brain to be tested for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease commonly associated with former football players. Simpson, a former NFL star famously acquitted of the murder charges relating to his former wife and her friend, was revealed to have succumbed to prostate cancer, as confirmed by his family and attorney.
Simpson’s legacy in the NFL is storied, having played 11 seasons, nine of them with the Buffalo Bills. Known affectionately as “The Juice,” he achieved significant milestones during his career, including winning four NFL rushing titles, rushing for over 11,000 yards, scoring 76 touchdowns, and participating in five Pro Bowls. His apex came in 1973 when he became the first running back to surpass the 2,000-yard rushing mark in a single season.
However, amid his athletic achievements, questions loom regarding the potential impact of his football career on his brain health. In a 2018 interview, Simpson expressed concerns about the possibility of suffering from CTE, citing symptoms such as memory loss, aggression, depression, anxiety, and impaired judgment. Despite feeling relatively well overall, Simpson admitted to experiencing cognitive lapses, particularly with short-term memory and word recall.
CTE, a condition only diagnosable posthumously, has garnered increased attention in recent years, prompting many former football players to pledge their brains for research after their passing. With Simpson’s demise, social media users have taken to platforms to speculate whether his brain could be examined for signs of CTE. Expressing sentiments of respect for the victims’ families and Simpson’s own children, users have urged thorough examination to shed light on the potential impact of the disease on his behavior and cognitive function.
The parallels drawn with other NFL players, such as Aaron Hernandez, further underscore the urgency of investigating Simpson’s brain for CTE. Hernandez, a former New England Patriots star, was posthumously diagnosed with severe CTE, shedding light on the disease’s debilitating effects on mood, cognition, and behavior. His case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of untreated brain trauma in professional athletes.
Simpson’s football career, intertwined with high-profile legal battles and controversies, has left an indelible mark on American sports history. From the highly publicized murder trial to subsequent legal entanglements, his trajectory has been fraught with dramatic twists and turns. Despite his acquittal in the criminal trial, Simpson was found liable for the deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in a subsequent civil trial, ordering him to pay millions in restitution.
Ultimately, Simpson’s legacy is complex, marked by both athletic prowess and personal turmoil. As discussions surrounding his brain health intensify, his story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of repetitive head trauma in contact sports. The calls for posthumous examination reflect a broader societal concern for the well-being of athletes and the need for comprehensive research into the long-term effects of sports-related injuries.