A tribute to OJ Simpson during the “In Memoriam” segment of Sunday’s 2024 BET Awards sparked outrage among viewers and the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
OJ Simpson rose to fame in the NFL, but became one of the most infamous figures in US history after being accused, and ultimately acquitted, of the murders of his ex-wife, Brown Simpson, and her friend, Goldman, in 1994 . Simpson died of cancer in April, aged 76.
Fred Goldman, Ron Goldman’s father, told NBC News on Monday that including Simpson on the show was inappropriate.
“I thought it was wrong,” Goldman said over the phone. “I thought I was just wrong. It’s hard to imagine that he would fall into the same category as the vast majority of the other people they honor.”
Meanwhile, Nicole Brown’s sister Tanya told TMZ:”It is inappropriate to give recognition to an aggressor and murderer.”
“Whoever thought of doing this owes an apology to all victims of domestic violence… and that includes our family. And they should be fired,” she added.
NBC News has reached out to BET for comment.
The “In Memoriam” segment included Simpson alongside such revered figures as acting legend Louis Gossett Jr. and baseball icon Willie Mays.
Several viewers were also upset by her inclusion in the awards show.
“I almost changed the channel when OJ Simpson came on screen during that in memoriam at the Bet Awards 2024. Like, no…. He should have been excluded,” a spectator on the X he wrote.
“You put OJ SIMPSON in the “In Memoriam” slideshow but not Andre Braugher?!?! Seriously, #BETAwards? SERIOUSLY?!?!,” another wrote.
“OJ Simpson? Sigh… I bet I’m really just screwing up—. #BETAwards“, another user added.
Brown Simpson, 35, and Goldman, 25, were found stabbed to death outside their Los Angeles home in 1994. Simpson, a Hall of Fame running back and successful actor, was soon after named a suspect in their murder. He avoided arrest in an hour-long televised police chase in a white Ford Bronco that mesmerized the nation.
His 1995 trial, broadcast daily into millions of homes, became a public spectacle and cultural landmark. Ultimately, Simpson was acquitted in a controversial verdict that shook the country.
However, two years later, he was found civilly liable for manslaughter in the double homicide case. A jury ordered Simpson to pay $33 million to Goldman’s family in the civil case — damages that were never paid in full before his death.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com read the full story
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