Even in death, former Buffalo Bills running back OJ Simpson continues to be one of the most controversial figures in sports.
The running back produced at a high level in the NFL, but allegations of a double murder and an acquittal split the country. Even decades after the infamous trial concluded, people continue to argue about it.
According to The Art of Dialogue on X, Elf actor Faizon Love went off on Stephen A Smith. This is because the latter condemned BET for listing Simpson’s name in an in-memoriam segment of the BET awards.
“This Stephen A Smith, man, where do you n***as come from? Do they groom you n***as? Where the f**k do you come from? You mad because BET is celebrating OJ, who else is gonna celebrate him? Are you f***ing stupid? He was found innocent, n***a! In a court of law! The white law!”
In other words, Love believes that the court and the rule of law made the correct choice in acquitting Simpson of the charges of murdering Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Smith, on the other hand, appears to believe that the judgement got it wrong in 1995.
According to statements transcribed by Awful Announcing, Smith had said on The Stephen A. Smith Show that he was “flabbergasted” by the “classless” decision of BET.
“My attitude is this: OJ Simpson never gave a s**t about Black people until he was indicted. Forget the fact that in memoriam he was celebrated, he was mentioned … this is the BET Awards,” he alleged.
Of course, the BET Awards were not the only offseason program to give OJ Simpson the spotlight. The Roast of Tom Brady centered around the quarterback’s life, but Simpson was one of the first major names called out during the Netflix special.
When comedian Jeff Ross emerged to do his set, he did so with a bloody OJ Simpson jersey, giving a direct nod to the controversy. The shock value of the joke might have hit harder than most others as it set the tone for the evening. In a way, Simpson helped uncork a new wave of controversy.
Since his passing earlier this year, Simpson has received more attention than perhaps at any point in recent years. Between the Roast of Tom Brady, the BET Awards, and his continued posting on social media up until his passing, he has found a way to stay in the headlines.
If nothing else, it looks like the former Bills and San Francisco 49ers running back’s mark has not yet faded from the planet.
