As someone who’s been following the NFL for over a decade now, I was on the edge of my seat when OJ Simpson arrived. His arrival not only shook up the league, but it was the height of excitement for me. For those of you who don’t know, OJ Simpson was an All-Pro Hall of Famer running back for the Buffalo Bills Cheap Jerseys from china 1969-1977, rushing for over 11,000 yards and scoring 75 touchdowns. It’s no understatement to say that OJ single-handedly changed the face of the game and helped to revolutionise the Bills franchise for the better.
My first experience of watching OJ in action was at a preseason game against the Baltimore Colts, where I saw him score two of his 75 career touchdowns. His raw power coupled with his deftness of feet mesmerised me – I had never seen a running back like him before! His style of play was incredibly bold and daring, something that seemed to set him apart from the rest of the players. Even then, I knew that this guy was going to be a huge part of the NFL.
From then on I followed OJ every single game – watching in awe as he set records, rushed for extraordinary yards, and scored touchdowns time after time. He was an absolute beast on the field, but off the field he was respected, revered, and even beloved. OJ had quite a talent, and with it an aura which really gripped the hearts of the nation. His athleticism was unlike no other, and it earned him the nickname ‘The Juice’, a lifelong nickname of which I am sure we can all relate to.
During his Air Force tour in Germany and Japan, OJ longed for the football field and eventually returned to the Buffalo Bills after a three year hiatus. During this period, he was awarded MVP, went on to play in the Pro Bowls and Super Bowls in 1974 and 1975, as well as two All-Pro selections. OJ played a huge part in the Bills’ Super Bowl runs and was widely considered to be the best running back in the cheap nfl jerseys. He set the tone for the game and sadly, when he retired, it was never quite the same.
The time I spent watching OJ in games left an indelible mark on me, and I still fondly look back on his career to this day. He really was an amazing player and watching him post big yard games with touchdowns for the Bills was an absolute honor. He earned his place in history and has left an enormous legacy to the great game of football and the Buffalo Bills – one which I believe will never be broken! Truly a class act.
However, just as with any career, there was a rocky road. OJ’s rise and fall from NFL fame was on par with his rise and fall of infamy. We all know the story, but just to recap; OJ was involved in one of the most high profile trials of the century, facing charges of murdering his ex-wife and Ron Goldman. After a trial which lasted over a year, OJ was acquitted and his sentence was dismissed.
It’s believed by some that an extraordinary criminal justice system allowed OJ to keep going, and that his name alone gave him a sense of immunity he did not deserve. This is why his return to public life after the trial – including hosting a show called Juiced and playing golf – has been criticised and scrutinised, and it has become clear that the public’s opinion of OJ has been forever changed.
Although OJ enjoyed his brief comeback, it didn’t last long. In 2008 he was found guilty of several felony counts, including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault. OJ was then sentence to up to 33 years in prison, and in 2017 he was granted parole and released after nine years.
It’s a sad end to a story filled with both immense highs and unforgettable lows. But, even so, I still can’t help but wonder what could have been if he hadn’t encountered this fateful turn of events. Would he still be the amazing player he was, or would his career have gone in a different direction? It is difficult to say, but I suppose we will never know.