O.J. Simpson
Ifyou’regoingtobeasuperstar,insportsoranythingelse,it’syourmind—notyourbody—that’llgetyouthere…it’sconcentration,theabilitytoblotouteverythingthatdoesn’thelpyoudoyourbest.
O.J. Simpson, a two-time unanimous All-American from the University of Southern California and the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner, was one of history's most heralded rookies when the Buffalo Bills selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1969 NFL/AFL common draft.
Ending his pro career with 11,236 rushing yards, 2,142 receiving yards and 990 kick return yards, Simpson totaled 14,368 all-purpose yards in 135 games. He scored 76 total touchdowns (61 rushing, 14 receiving and one via kick return).
Simpson was not an immediate success, however. It wasn’t until head coach Lou Saban took over the Bills in 1972 that Simpson’s full potential was realized. From 1972-1976, he led the NFL in rushing four times in five seasons. His 7,699 rushing yards during that span was No. 1 in the NFL by some distance, with no other player coming within 2,500 yards.
Many fans remember Simpson's sensational 1973 MVP season, when he became the first back in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. With 419 rushing yards in his final two games of the year, Simpson broke Jim Brown’s single-season rushing record (1,863 in 1963) and ended the season with 2,003 yards. His 143.1 rushing yards per game that season remains the highest mark in league history.
Some consider his 1975 campaign even better. Simpson put up a career-high 2,243 yards from scrimmage and scored a then single-season record 23 touchdowns (16 rushing, seven receiving).
By the end of his career, Simpson had made six Pro Bowls (1969, 1972-76) and was a first-team All-Pro selection five times (1972-76). He was named to the NFL All-Decade Team of the 1970s, the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
Record-setting running back O.J. Simpson: 1947-2024
O.J. SIMPSON, the first player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in an NFL season, died April 10, 2024, of cancer, according to his family. He was 76.
Ending his pro career with 11,236 rushing yards, 2,142 receiving yards and 990 kick return yards, Simpson totaled 14,368 all-purpose yards in 135 games. He scored 76 total touchdowns (61 rushing, 14 receiving and one via kick return).
Simpson was selected to play in six Pro Bowls (1969, 1972-76) and was a first-team All-Pro selection five times (1972-76). He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s, the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
