ESPN’s Adam Schefter performed a standard year-end journalism duty Tuesday, posting a tribute to notable figures who passed away in 2024.
Schefter likely expected some negative feedback for including one name in particular: O.J. Simpson.
“As we begin to look ahead to the new year, please take time to remember and reflect on some of the legendary lives that we lost this year,” Schefter wrote, followed by a list of those who’ve passed. Simpson was the 37th person on the list, which appeared to be partly based on the chronological order of their death.
As we begin to look ahead to the new year, please take time to remember and reflect on some of the legendary lives that we lost this year.
Vontae Davis, Frank Ryan, Mario Zagallo, Bud Harrelson, Dejan Milojevic, Larry Zimmer, Hallie James Kyed, Charles Osgood, Mike Martin, Carl… pic.twitter.com/WjepNVvoKE
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2024
Simpson died on April 10 at the age of 76, and his death created a dilemma for the media, given the notorious double-homicide associated with him. He’s not just another NFL legend who passed away. Various media outlets and organizations dealt with the issue in distinctly different ways. The Buffalo Bills, for whom Simpson set many NFL records, and the USC Trojans, for whom Simpson won the Heisman Trophy, made no mention of his death.
On the other hand, those who noted Simpson’s passing generated complaints, as the BET Awards discovered when they mentioned Simpson in memoriam.
Given the prior controversy involving this issue, Schefter had to know he’d get some blowback on social media. It didn’t take long for people to respond.
You really snuck OJ Simpson in there
— drone (@dronerogan) December 31, 2024
“O.J Simpson” https://t.co/y5cNaml9To
— Shane 🌰 (@Pantherfansad) December 31, 2024
Bro tried to sneak OJ in there like we wouldn’t notice 😂
— Cameron Charles (@Cam601720) December 31, 2024
Orenthal was snuck in there like he’s Where’s Waldo https://t.co/er81zOZfov
— DocDon (@DocDonDJ) December 31, 2024
Others questioned the wisdom of Schefter doing such a comprehensive list, because it would look bad to inadvertently leave someone out, and he did miss a few notable deaths. But others thought Schefter did the right thing to include Simpson.
People mad about OJ…….he technically did have a legendary life. Doesn’t mean all of it was good though. His whole life is legendary just kinda in a negative way.
— AZ (@consistentoneAZ) December 31, 2024
The outrage over a sports journalist acknowledging a Hall of Famr athlete like OJ died is ridiculous. While OJ was on of the worst humans to walk, he was a great football player. You don’t have to like it, but it’s a fact. Fake outrage lives on.
— Dippo (@tdippo) December 31, 2024
Schefter had a no-win situation. Some fans would have called him out if he’d left Simpson off the list. Whatever happened June 13, 1994, involving the deaths of Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman, no one can deny Simpson had a legendary football career.
[Adam Schefter]
