The controversially acquitted of double murder, former American football player O.J. Simpson passed away at the age of 76, according to his family.

Before entering the NFL, Orenthal James Simpson gained notoriety as a college football player.

In a trial that captivated the nation, he was found not guilty in 1995 of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown and a friend.

He was convicted of armed robbery in 2008 and given a 33-year prison sentence. In 2017, he was set free

Simpson’s family posted on Twitter/X on Wednesday that he passed away from cancer. “His children and grandchildren were with him,” the statement said.

Before 1994, Simpson enjoyed widespread affection from the general public due to his fame as a professional athlete, actor, and high-profile spokesperson for numerous US companies.

But in that same year, he was taken into custody on suspicion of killing his former spouse Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman. The subsequent trial captivated the country, and his acquittal the next year generated a great deal of controversy.