Once an icon on the American football field and later a central figure in one of the most controversial criminal cases in U.S. history, O.J. Simpson is no stranger to grabbing headlines.
However, his recent appearance on the podcast It Is What It Is has put him back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Simpson stirred controversy with a poorly timed joke about Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury, which occurred on September 11th.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sidelined just four plays into the game after rupturing his Achilles. The sack by Bills pass rusher Leonard Floyd was the unfortunate turning point that has now ruled Rodgers out for the entirety of the 2023 NFL season.
The Jets and their fans were left reeling, and the internet was abuzz with the shocking news. But it was Simpson's take on the situation that left many scratching their heads.
Check out the joke Simpson made:"'The Jets are still gonna be good," Simpson said. "They got that defense—and that kid learned a lot from Aaron. Unfortunately, 9/11 is just a bad date for New York,'" he added, eliciting laughter from co-hosts Cam'ron and Mase.
Simpson didn't stop at the joke. He went on to blame the injury on a lack of physical contact and activity during the preseason and offseason. "'You gotta play,' he said. 'That's the problem with not playing at all before you go out on the field. That wasn't a bad tackle. You gotta get your body loose, you gotta get some contact.'"
Simpson's words carry weight, but not always in the way he might intend. Once a celebrated athlete, his reputation took a severe hit due to his criminal trial and controversial acquittal in 1994 for the murders of his ex-wife and her friend.
Although acquitted in criminal court, Simpson was found responsible for their deaths in a subsequent civil case and was ordered to pay over $30 million in damages. His legal woes continued when he was convicted of armed robbery 13 years after his initial acquittal, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence.
Many online commenters found Simpson's remarks insensitive, especially given the gravity of a day like 9/11 for New Yorkers and Americans at large.
One person penned: "I don't care what OJ has to say, but I'm not surprised he would say something as insensitive as this."
Another simply wrote: "What a disgrace."
His controversial history only adds fuel to the fire, making it a hot topic of debate whether Simpson should be given platforms like It Is What It Is to voice his opinions.
As the 2023 NFL season continues without Aaron Rodgers, one thing is clear: Simpson's capacity to stir the pot remains undiminished. Whether you find his recent commentary unsettling or a harmless joke, it's yet another chapter in the enduring public fascination with a man who continues to be as divisive as he is newsworthy.
