OJ Simpson’s passing: White House extends condolences to the ex-football star’s family

The White House expressed condolences to the family of former football star and actor O.J. Simpson following his Wednesday death from cancer.

Simpson, who won a Heisman Trophy playing at the University of Southern California before embarking on a Hall of Fame NFL career, polarized the nation after he was charged and eventually acquitted in 1995 of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

“Our thoughts are with his families through this difficult time, obviously his family and loved ones,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Thursday when asked about Simpson’s death and if he had ever interacted with President Joe Biden. “And I’ll say this. I know they have asked for some privacy, so we are going to respect that. I’ll just leave it there.”

Simpson’s family announced on X on Thursday that he had died on Wednesday.

“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren,” the family wrote in a statement. “During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”

Simpson was close with former President Donald Trump, though he never endorsed any of the former president’s White House bids.

Simpson invoked Trump’s name when shooting down reports that he had been moved into a hospice amid his cancer battle.

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“I don’t know who put that out there,” he stated in a video posted to X in February. “I guess it’s like ‘The Donald’ says, ‘You can’t trust the media.’”

You can watch Thursday’s briefing in full below.