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OJ Simpson included in BET Awards 2024 ‘In Memoriam’ tribute

Posted on by angelo

The BET Awards raised eyebrows on Sunday night by including OJ Simpson in their “In Memoriam” segment. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

OJ Simpson’s inclusion in the BET Awards’ 2024 “In Memoriam” segment caught many audience members off guard on Sunday night.

Attendees politely paid their respects to the deceased by applauding as their images flashed across the screen until Simpson’s photo appeared.

The confused crowd fell into a “noticeable silence” before a few uncomfortable laughs and murmurs arose from the audience, one person in attendance told the Hollywood Reporter.

The crowd was noticeably silent when his image flashed across the screen. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
While a few people applauded, whispers spread throughout the crowd. REUTERS

After a scattering of applause, the montage moved on — but titters among the crowd continued for a few moments longer.

The former Buffalo Bills player was listed as a “Former NFL Player” but also notably starred in the “Naked Gun” series.

The third “Naked Gun” film was released just three months before Simpson’s wife Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered alongside her friend Ron Goldman.

Simpson was listed as a “Former NFL Player.” Focus on Sport via Getty Images
His career was forever tarnished after he was accused of killing wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in 1994. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

OJ was famously accused and acquitted of both murders in the mid-’90s. However, he was found liable for their death a year later in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Both the victims’ families still strongly believe that he should have been charged with the double homicide in the first place.

Unsurprisingly, they also took issue with his inclusion in the segment, telling TMZ the entire situation was completely “inappropriate.”

Fred Goldman, Ron’s father, told the outlet he didn’t see any benefit of including OJ because the segment was about honoring “Black excellence” lost in the last year.

While he was acquitted of the double homicide, he was later found liable for their deaths. AP
He spent time in jail from 2008 until 2017. Getty Images

“I think they shouldn’t include anyone of that caliber — a wife beater, murderer … can’t imagine why they would include someone like that,” he said.

Nicole’s sister Tanya ditched her feelings, saying it was “inappropriate to give an abuser and murderer recognition.”

“Whoever thought of doing that owes every domestic violence victim an apology…and that’s including our family,” she added. “And, they should be fired.”

Nicole’s sister questioned why the network thought it was appropriate “to give an abuser and murderer recognition.” REUTERS
OJ died from cancer in April. He was 76. AP

The disgraced NFL player died in April at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer.

Insiders later told Page Six that OJ, who spent time in jail from 2008 until 2017, ran a ring of all-cash businesses in his final years so that he wouldn’t have to pay Nicole and Ronald’s families.

OJ was supposed to pay them $33 million in damages due to the 1996 liable death lawsuit; however, even after his death, his estate has reportedly done everything in its power to assure the families get “nothing.”