Simpson was a big star
more with grace than power, though he could push through defenders for that extra yard or two. He danced and juked, dodged and eluded tacklers, using his instincts to find open space that allowed him to use his speed to outrace the defense into the end zone.
Simpson rushed for 1,251 yards and six TDs in Saban's first year in Buffalo. He followed up with one of the greatest seasons in league history, rushing for 2,003 yards and 12 scores in 1973 while earning the NFL Most Valuable Player award.
Simpson accomplished that remarkable total in 14 games and his record of 143.1 yards rushing per game still stands. Simpson topped 1,000 yards in each of his next three seasons and 1975 was his best all-around effort.
He rushed for 1,817 yards and 16 TDs and had 426 yards receiving and seven more scores that year.
A knee injury ended his season early in 1977 and Simpson finished his career in San Francisco, where he grew up.
The five-time All-Pro was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
By then, he was already a fixture on television as an actor, pitchman and football analyst. Simpson first appeared in an ad for Hertz in 1975, and legions of sports fans knew him as the former player who dashed through airports wearing three-piece suits and holding a briefcase while hurdling railings on his way to the rental counter to secure his car.
Simpson began acting during his time at USC, appeared in various roles on television shows while in the NFL and co-starred in several movies after retiring. His promising on-screen career and everything else was halted following the murder allegations.
Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure was a rookie with the Bills during Simpson's record-breaking season and became an important member of an offensive line known as “The Electric Company” that paved the lane for Simpson to run free.
Simpson had matured as a teammate by the time DeLamielleure met him, aided by guidance he received from Edgerson and other veteran players who helped him find his way.
“He was like a star to us, even back then,” DeLamielleure told the AP. “He was like an icon even back then. ... But I'll tell you what, he was never cocky. He worked hard in practice. ... He was just one of those guys who was bigger than all of us. But he hung with everybody. Very humble to football players and very respectful to the offensive line because he's a guy who shined a light on the offensive linemen throughout the league. He was a special person, a special player . ... I watched Pete Maravich play. I also saw Muhammad Ali box . ... Holy cow. But I was privileged to play with him.”
In the end, however, Simpson is remembered more for the murder trial than his football accolades.