In the '90s, there was not a more popular legal trial than that of NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson, who was accused of killing his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The jury acquitted Simpson of all charges, although he later was found liable in a civil court case. Simpson never went to jail but that went wrong when O.J. attempted to retrieve a number of items he claims were stolen from him and brought a gun to the occasion.
O.J. Simpson spent nine years in prison for a sentence that required him to serve between nine and 33 years in prison for the incident.
On Thursday, a parole board in Nevada voted unanimously to grant Simpson an early release from prison and he will get out on Oct. 1.
The NFL Hall of Fame
O.J. Simpson was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after a very successful 11-year career. Simpson led the NFL in rushing four different seasons including a 1973 year where he rushed for 2,003 yards, which at the time was the most in NFL single-season history.
For his career, O.J. Simpson rushed for 11,236 yards, which ranks as 21st most of all time and his average of 83.2 yards per game is the 11th best mark in the history of the league. He was also a six-time Pro Bowl selection, including in his rookie season of 1969, and was a first team All-Pro for five consecutive seasons.
O.J Simpson was a first-ballot NFL Hall of Fame inductee in 1985.
O.J. Simpson's standing invitation
ESPN contacted the NFL Hall of Fame and asked about O.J. Simpson's relationship with the organization. While many fans wanted him removed from the Hall of Fame, the fact he was acquitted of the murder charges made that impossible.
Now, it appears that he not only will remain in the Hall of Fame but has an Open Invitation to attend any future ceremonies upon his release from prison.
The policy of the organization is that "all Hall of Famers are invited to attend the annual enshrinement." Of course, there is likely little chance that Simpson, now 70-years-old, will risk the publicity of attending any ceremonies.
There are still many people who believe he is guilty of the murder of his ex-wife and her lover, despite the acquittal.
O.J. Simpson will move to Florida and live out the remainder of his life there. He would not be able to travel to Canton to attend a ceremony until his parole restrictions are lifted and travel is allowed but putting himself in that situation seems counter productive to living out the rest of his life in peace.
