Orenthal James Simpson, better known as O.J. Simpson, is a former American football star and actor. Simpson was tried in 1995 for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown and her friend, Ron Goldman. This trial, referred to by some as the “Trial of the Century,” was one of the most riveting, high-profile cases in years, and was, in essence, an amped up reality T.V. show, featuring celebrities, athletes, intransigent attorneys, and touchy subjects such as domestic abuse, stalking, and even murder. At the time of the trial, nearly every eye was tuned in to this captivating drama as it played out. But how did Simpson find himself in this situation? What was his life like before stardom? And how did his actions change the world forever? Simpson was born July 9, 1947 in the rugged Potrero Hill district of San Francisco. Growing up, Simpson had a rough home life from the start. His parents separated, and his mother raised him and his siblings alone. Growing up in the area that he did, Simpson met some bad influences along the way. At only age thirteen, Simpson resorted to joining a gang known as the Persian Warriors. One fight landed him at the San Francisco Youth Guidance Center for nearly a week in 1962 (“O.J. Simpson Biography,” 1-2). …show more content…
He showed remarkable promise on the gridiron for Galileo High School, first as a tackle, and later as a fullback. His poor grades, however, shattered his chances at getting into a major college program. After high school graduation, he enrolled at the City College of San Francisco. While attending, he overwhelmed the local competition, and was scouted to the University of Southern California. Simpson blossomed during his time at USC, gaining fame as a two-time All-American halfback, NCAA record breaker, and Heisman trophy winner (“O.J. Simpson Biography,”