The NFL's decision to include erstwhile running back, O.J. Simpson in a pre-game tribute during last night's Super Bowl did not go unnoticed. Simpson, who was famously acquitted of the murders of his ew-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman back in 1995, was named as one of the 100 greatest players in the history of the NFL on Sunday.
While the 72-year-old did not make it to the ceremony, which took place before the game yesterday, FOX, who were broadcasting the sporting event, displayed Simpson's name and picture in a pictorial that included other legendary running backs, including Larry Fitzgerald and Eric Dickerson.
Watch Jennifer Lopez and her daughter Emmé perform at the Super Bowl halftime show:People were quick to denounce the league for including the disgraced athlete in the roundup. Certainly, the NFL has remained largely silent on the subject of Simpson since he was released from prison on parole in October of 2017 for kidnapping and armed robbery.
Social media users proceeded to point out the fact that they were surprised that the NFL would honour such a controversial figure like Simpson, while former quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, still has not been signed to a team after protesting racial inequality in 2016.
"THEY INCLUDED OJ SIMPSON IN THE PRE-GAME SHOW TRIBUTE BUT Colin Rand Kaepernick DOESN’T HAVE A JOB [sic]," wrote one Twitter user, while another corroborated "Why didnt OJ Simpson make the cut to be on the field with the NFL 100? He had a killer career [sic]."
"I know they didn’t just honor OJ damn Simpson during this superbowl pregame show...... [sic]," added a third.
Prior to Sunday's festivities, Simpson took to Twitter to post a video message to his followers. "Finally it’s Super Bowl Sunday and I just can’t wait," he said. "I’m going to a real super Super Bowl party."