O.J. Simpson

Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson (July 9, 1947-) (RB) was a two-time All-American at the University of Southern California and is one of three players in NFL history to win the Heisman Trophy, be chosen Number 1 overall in the NFL Draft and be inducted into both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame with Paul Hornung and Earl Campbell. The Buffalo Bills selected the speedy running back with the Number 1 overall pick of the 1969 NFL Draft. Though Simpson’s ability was not immediately noticed, once he became the Bills starter he did not disappoint. In his fourth season, he led the NFL in rushing yards and became the first player in NFL history to top the 2,000 yard mark in 1973, leading the league in rushing yards, touchdowns, attempts and yards per game. He was named the 1973 NFL AP Most Valuable Player, the Newspaper Enterprise Association MVP, the AP Offensive Player of the Year and the Bert Bell Award (Player of the Year) winner. “Juice” led the NFL four times in rushing yards, three times in attempts, yards per game and yards from scrimmage and twice in rushing touchdowns.

Simpson played 11 seasons with the Bills (1969-1977) and the San Francisco 49ers (1978-1979) amassing 11,236 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns on 2,404 rushing attempts. He added 2,142 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 203 receptions. In total, Juice collected 13,378 all-purpose yards and 76 touchdowns for 456 total points. He made six NFL Pro Bowl appearances and was named to five NFL All-Pro First Teams. O.J. Simpson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Following his playing days, O.J. made numerous cameo appearances on television shows, had a recurring role in the Naked Gun motion picture comedy series and was a regular at annual charitable golf tournaments and events with other famed athletes. In 1994, Simpson was acquitted of the double homicide of his ex-wife Nicole and friend Ronald Brown in one of the most publicized trials in American history. However, Simpson was convicted of participating in a robbery and kidnapping in Las Vegas in 2007, as he attempted to recover historical sports memorabilia chronicling his Hall of Fame career. 

• PSA Set Registry: The 1970 Topps Football Card Set, Look Beyond the O.J. Rookie