O.J. Simpson was included in the 2024 BET Awards’ “In Memoriam” segment, and the reaction was nothing short of mixed. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and hosted by Taraji P. Henson, aimed to honor Black excellence lost over the past year. However, when Simpson’s image appeared on the screen, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
The audience had been enthusiastically applauding as photos of the departed were displayed. But when O.J.’s picture, labeled “Former NFL Player,” appeared, an awkward silence enveloped the room. As the initial shock wore off, a few hesitant claps could be heard, but the atmosphere remained uneasy. Simpson did not receive the same level of applause as other honorees like Clarence Avant, Willie Mays, Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, and Bill Cobbs.
The segment was introduced as a tribute to “honoring Black excellence that we unfortunately lost this year.” O.J. Simpson passed away in April at the age of 76 from prostate cancer, following several months in hospice care. His death stirred mixed reactions—some in the football community honored the athlete, while others remembered Simpson, who was acquitted of double murder in 1995, as a killer.
The inclusion of Simpson in the “In Memoriam” segment sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. Viewers were taken aback, given Simpson’s controversial past. He was acquitted for the 1994 murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman but was later convicted of armed robbery. Tia Mowry introduced the segment, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the contributions of those who have passed away. However, the inclusion of Simpson overshadowed the intended message.
One post on X (formerly Twitter) read, “lol OJ Simpson in memoriam for anything is WILD no matter how you slice it,” garnering over 2,500 likes. Other users shared memes to express their shock and confusion, with one viewer suggesting the audience “didn’t know what to do” when Simpson’s image appeared. Applause could be heard on the televised broadcast, but it was clear that the moment was uncomfortable for many.
TMZ’s Tubi documentary, “O.J. How He Really Did It,” chronicles Harvey Levin’s experience covering the murder trial, offering never-before-heard stories about the case. This documentary adds another layer to the complex legacy of O.J. Simpson, a figure who continues to evoke strong emotions.
The BET Awards’ decision to include Simpson in the “In Memoriam” segment also drew criticism for excluding other notable figures. Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andre Braugher, who passed away in December 2023, was notably absent from the tribute. This omission did not go unnoticed, with viewers expressing their disappointment on social media. One person raged on X, “You put O.J. SIMPSON in the ‘In Memoriam’ slideshow, but not Andre Braugher?!?! Really, #BETAwards? REALLY?!?!” Another agreed, “Including O.J. Simpson in your in memoriam tribute but not Andre Braugher is nuts BET.”
Simpson’s life and career have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Often regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, his football and acting career were overshadowed by the media circus of his 1995 “trial of the century” for the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. His acquittal by a mostly Black jury became a seminal moment in U.S. cultural history, coming just three years after the Los Angeles Police Department officers were acquitted for beating Rodney King, sparking the 1992 LA race riots.
After news of his death broke, an attorney for Goldman’s family said Simpson “died without penance.” Although he was acquitted of the criminal charges, a civil court in 1996 found him guilty of their murders and ordered him to pay over $30 million to the victims’ families. He only paid some of the debt before his death.
Simpson spent his later years leaning into his notoriety, including his 2016 book “If I Did It,” the rights of which ended up going to Goldman’s family. He also regularly commented on other high-profile murder and legal cases, maintaining a presence in the public eye despite his controversial past.
The 2024 BET Awards aimed to celebrate Black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports, and philanthropy. However, the inclusion of O.J. Simpson in the “In Memoriam” segment has sparked a debate about the complexities of legacy and the criteria for honoring individuals who have had a significant impact on culture, for better or worse.
As the conversation continues, it is clear that O.J. Simpson remains a polarizing figure, even in death. His inclusion in the BET Awards’ tribute has opened up a broader discussion about how we remember and honor those who have left a complicated legacy.
Source: TMZ, USA TODAY, The Independent, The Hollywood Reporter
