IN MY LIFE- O.J.

O.J. Simpson was granted parole today. He has served nine years in prison for a robbery in Nevada back in 2008. He walks out of jail on October 1st.

I remember O.J. while growing up as a football fan. He played running back for the Buffalo Bills. I was an Eagles and Jets fan back then, so I admired his talent, especially the year he rushed for 2,000 yards, ( then a record), but wasn't a fan.

What I most recall of O.J. was his USC days, and the fact he was almost a Philadelphia Eagle. If the Birds would've lost one more game, they would've picked No. 1 in the draft. Instead, they tied for worst record with the Bills. Buffalo won  a coin toss and the rest is history.

After his playing days were over, Simpson did car commercials- Hertz rent-a-car was his most famous, as he ran through an airport, leaping over luggage racks on the way to catch his car. He also appeared in movies, especially the Naked Gun series with Leslie Nielsen.

Then came 1995 and the Trial of the Century when Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole and her friend, Ron Goldman. that trial mesmerized the world for months. it was everywhere and daily, that's all people talked about.

I remember coming home from work, thirsty for details of what had happened that day. But when I got home at 4 in the afternoon, it was only 1:00 in Los Angeles, so I could watch a god bit of the trial.

Some of it was boring, Most of it was riveting.

If I was on trial for my life I would've wanted defense attorney Johnnie Cochran to defend me. He was charismatic and brilliant.

The final verdict was stunning.O.J. was acquitted when all evidence said he did it.  Even before that, I was watching the NBA  playoffs on TV when Peter Jennings broke in with a Special report that O.J. was on the run, his white Bronco speeding down the highway.

I heard about the murders over the weekend, and initially,O.J. was not a suspect because he was not home. The two bloody bodies were found the morning after, and O.J. reported got  a phone call that his ex-wife had been murdered.

I remember he went to her funeral. By then, people were suspicious, and rumors swirled that O.J. was being questioned.

When I didn't catch the courtroom drama live, it was a regular feature on Nightline and all the other tabloid shows.

After the acquittal, Simpson was less in the spotlight, but he partied and was seen around LA and in Miami, where he also hung out.

Then came the burglary in Las Vegas and his arrest and conviction.

Today, it was typical O.J. He hadn't changed much. He seemed fitter physically, maybe because he thought he would get parole. But there was little remorse. He blamed others for the crime, not taking responsibility, as always. He rambled on at times during his statements or answers to questions. He even admitted to being confused at times.

The world was watching again-live- as the one hour hearing went on in Nevada. The same four commissioners who heard his last parole hearing in 2013 were in attendance, so chances were good that O.J. win be approved.

He was either uncoached or uncoachable, seeming to wing his statements, even though he had months, even years to prepare for this day. He really didn't say he was sorry for what he had done until a good 30 minutes in the proceedings.Instead of sounding contrite he re litigated his testimony.

he claimed he didn't abuse alcohol, that's why he didn't take the abuse computer course in prison ( even though he admitted to drinking heavily the night of the robbery).

After Simpson spoke, his daughter gave a brief but emotional statement, pleading for her father to come home. His lawyer wa a bit goofy, certainly not helping his case. And his friend, Bruce Fromang, the victim, gave an impassioned plea for O.J.'s release.

O.J. claimed he had missed "36 birthdays" of his 4 kids during his prison stay. Funny, Nicole and Ron missed over 23 years of birthdays...

Simpson said he "believed in the jury process " ( I guess so, he was acquitted for murder), and "wanted a second chance." His daughter claimed that her father had remorse and was humbled by the prison experience, but O.J. himself showed little remorse or humility.

In the end, the commissioners granted Simpson parole. He was a model prisoner, not in trouble, ever respectful of the guards and other inmates, helping to establish a Baptist church service, a softball team, and even was a mediator during disputes.

As he said "I done my time", and he did, not the full 33 years, which legal experts admitted wasn't worth the crime, but nine years.

So, when the commissioners discussed their verdicts after the hearing , it was no surprise when they came back 30 minutes later and let Simpson go free.



O.J. is free on October 1. He is planning on living in Florida. I have a feeling we haven't heard the;last of him. His past will haunt him forever. Meanwhile, he will live the good life, playing golf.He is 70 now- he could live another 20 or so years.

The Goldmans will continue to try and get their money from the civil suit they won after the murder trial.. they are still owed about $ 51 million.

And the story goes on. Now, with social media, O.J. won't be able to go underground as before. Like it or not, he will always be in the spotlight.