The most celebrated college running back of the 1960s — USC legend and 1968 Heisman Trophy winner.
Orenthal James Simpson was born in San Francisco, California in 1947. He attended the University of Southern California and became the most celebrated college running back of the late 1960s. His 1968 season produced 1,709 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, winning the Heisman Trophy by an overwhelming margin. His two-year USC career produced 3,295 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was the consensus All-American running back twice (1967, 1968). He led USC to a Rose Bowl victory in 1969. He was selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft and went on to rush for 2,003 yards in 1973 — the first player to break the 2,000-yard barrier. His football legacy — both in college and the NFL — was overshadowed permanently by his 1994-95 murder trial, in which he was acquitted of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman but was later found liable in a civil trial. His football achievements are documented separately from his legal history. He died in April 2024 aged 76.
Heisman Trophy (1968)
Career Honours
- Heisman Trophy (1968)
- Consensus All-American 2x
- Rose Bowl
- Pac-8 rushing record