section_path: Personal life/Illness and death
section_name: Illness and death
paragraph_text: Illness and death
  
  In May 2023, Simpson reported that he had been diagnosed with cancer and expressed confidence that he would beat it. He also said he started chemotherapy. In February 2024, it was reported that Simpson was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. A week and a half before his death, Simpson cancelled a scheduled memorabilia signing because he was not feeling well. In his last Twitter video on February 11, he said that while he was "dealing with some issues", he was in good health. In the final days before his death, all of Simpson's children visited him. He died of the disease on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76. At the time, Simpson had been living in Las Vegas, next to the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club. Simpson shared a home with his oldest daughter Arnelle while his youngest son Justin lived up the street from him.
  
  Simpson's death was met with mixed reactions, with his legal history overshadowing his sporting achievements. The Bills, 49ers, and USC did not publish any condolences or tributes following his death. The NFL did not release a statement, but a video that announced Simpson's death and featured highlights from his professional football career was uploaded on the NFL's website and YouTube channel. The Pro Football Hall of Fame published a news release and lowered its flag to half-staff. The Heisman Trophy published a tribute to Simpson on Twitter and offered condolences to his family.
  
  Booker Edgerson, Simpson's teammate from the Buffalo Bills, said he was planning to visit Simpson in Las Vegas in three weeks when he got the news Simpson died. "We really didn't get along in the beginning. But eventually we became roommates and everything. So we had an outstanding relationship. We did a lot of things together. We went through a lot when he had his good years in Buffalo," Edgerson said of his friendship with Simpson. "We had good times together, and we understood each other. That's my memories." Joe DeLamielleure, Simpson's teammate from the Buffalo Bills, reflected on his death, "I'm sad because, when people die you go 'Oh, God, that's terrible.' But what happened to him, and maybe he brought it upon himself, but he was an icon in the nation. And he meant a lot (to) people doing those commercials. He did a lot for the Black race even though he didn't know it. He wasn't Muhammad Ali or anything, but he was doing things for athletes and not just Black athletes, but he kicked us into a really big thing. That's what I think of him. He was a groundbreaker." DeLamielleure said he spoke with Simpson on the phone a month before his death, and that he last saw Simpson five years ago at an autograph session near Buffalo. "It was nice to see him. And as for O.J. and what he did or didn't do, it's not my place to judge anybody. But I really liked him as a teammate."
  
  The Goldman family issued a statement that read, "The news of Ron's killer passing away is a mixed bag of complicated emotions and reminds us that the journey through grief is not linear. For three decades we tirelessly pursued justice for Ron and Nicole, and despite a civil judgment and his confession in If I Did It, the hope for true accountability has ended. We will continue to advocate for the rights of all victims and survivors, ensuring our voices are heard both within and beyond the courtroom. And despite his death, the mission continues; there's always more to be done. Thank you for keeping our family, and most importantly Ron, in your hearts for the last 30 years." Nicole Brown Simpson 's sister Denise later said of her sister's legacy, "Her life was stolen from her and while her abuser is finally gone, it doesn't take away the anguish we feel or the pain of her children who lost their mother."
  
  White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a short statement, "Our thoughts are with his families during this difficult time... I know that they have asked for some privacy and so we're going to respect that." Magic Johnson tweeted that he and his wife Cookie were praying for Simpson's children and grandchildren during his difficult passing. Caitlyn Jenner posted "Good Riddance" on Twitter after news broke of Simpson's death. Rappers Cam'ron and Mase paid tribute to Simpson on the independently produced sports' news talk show It is What It is, where Simpson joined as a football analyst in the last months of his life, and also criticized Caitlyn Jenner for her tweet about Simpson's death. Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith mentioned, "One of the greatest athletes we have ever seen... But it all pales in comparison to him being perceived as a double murderer." Singer Stephanie Mills posted tributes to Simpson on her social media accounts remembering him for his NFL career and Hertz commercials. David Zucker, director of The Naked Gun movies, posted a picture of Simpson on his Instagram, with the caption, "His acting was a lot like his murdering: He got away with it, but no one believed him." Former professional football player Todd Gurley paid tribute to Simpson on Twitter by listing his on-field accomplishments and praised Simpson for being like family to him. Former professional football player Torrey Smith wrote on Twitter that while he's "not a big OJ guy," he feels "the amount journalists/media companies that are using OJ's court pictures to announce his death is disgusting! Regardless of what you may think about him he was innocent in court and has kids out here. Y'all have no respect." Sportscaster Bob Costas who worked with Simpson for several years at NBC Sports, reflected on Simpson's complicated legacy, "I can't think of anyone historical or someone that we may have known where the first chapter and the second chapter of their lives are such a stark contrast," he said noting that Simpson went from a "revered" figure to a "reviled" one.
  
  Simpson was cremated at the Palm Mortuary in Downtown Las Vegas on April 17, 2024. The executor of Simpson's estate announced plans to fight the estate's money going to the Brown and Goldman families, but reversed course soon after. No plans were made for a public memorial, while there were tentative discussions of a celebration of life ceremony for the family. Malcolm LeVergne, the attorney handling Simpson's estate, stated that his cremains will be given to his children.
  
  Simpson was featured in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 24th BET Awards, surprising people in attendance. Simpson was also featured in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.
  
  In May 2023, Simpson reported that he had been diagnosed with cancer and expressed confidence that he would beat it. He also said he started chemotherapy. In February 2024, it was reported that Simpson was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. A week and a half before his death, Simpson cancelled a scheduled memorabilia signing because he was not feeling well. In his last Twitter video on February 11, he said that while he was "dealing with some issues", he was in good health. In the final days before his death, all of Simpson's children visited him. He died of the disease on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76. At the time, Simpson had been living in Las Vegas, next to the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club. Simpson shared a home with his oldest daughter Arnelle while his youngest son Justin lived up the street from him.
  
  Simpson's death was met with mixed reactions, with his legal history overshadowing his sporting achievements. The Bills, 49ers, and USC did not publish any condolences or tributes following his death. The NFL did not release a statement, but a video that announced Simpson's death and featured highlights from his professional football career was uploaded on the NFL's website and YouTube channel. The Pro Football Hall of Fame published a news release and lowered its flag to half-staff. The Heisman Trophy published a tribute to Simpson on Twitter and offered condolences to his family.
  
  Booker Edgerson, Simpson's teammate from the Buffalo Bills, said he was planning to visit Simpson in Las Vegas in three weeks when he got the news Simpson died. "We really didn't get along in the beginning. But eventually we became roommates and everything. So we had an outstanding relationship. We did a lot of things together. We went through a lot when he had his good years in Buffalo," Edgerson said of his friendship with Simpson. "We had good times together, and we understood each other. That's my memories." Joe DeLamielleure, Simpson's teammate from the Buffalo Bills, reflected on his death, "I'm sad because, when people die you go 'Oh, God, that's terrible.' But what happened to him, and maybe he brought it upon himself, but he was an icon in the nation. And he meant a lot (to) people doing those commercials. He did a lot for the Black race even though he didn't know it. He wasn't Muhammad Ali or anything, but he was doing things for athletes and not just Black athletes, but he kicked us into a really big thing. That's what I think of him. He was a groundbreaker." DeLamielleure said he spoke with Simpson on the phone a month before his death, and that he last saw Simpson five years ago at an autograph session near Buffalo. "It was nice to see him. And as for O.J. and what he did or didn't do, it's not my place to judge anybody. But I really liked him as a teammate."
  
  The Goldman family issued a statement that read, "The news of Ron's killer passing away is a mixed bag of complicated emotions and reminds us that the journey through grief is not linear. For three decades we tirelessly pursued justice for Ron and Nicole, and despite a civil judgment and his confession in If I Did It, the hope for true accountability has ended. We will continue to advocate for the rights of all victims and survivors, ensuring our voices are heard both within and beyond the courtroom. And despite his death, the mission continues; there's always more to be done. Thank you for keeping our family, and most importantly Ron, in your hearts for the last 30 years." Nicole Brown Simpson 's sister Denise later said of her sister's legacy, "Her life was stolen from her and while her abuser is finally gone, it doesn't take away the anguish we feel or the pain of her children who lost their mother."
  
  White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a short statement, "Our thoughts are with his families during this difficult time... I know that they have asked for some privacy and so we're going to respect that." Magic Johnson tweeted that he and his wife Cookie were praying for Simpson's children and grandchildren during his difficult passing. Caitlyn Jenner posted "Good Riddance" on Twitter after news broke of Simpson's death. Rappers Cam'ron and Mase paid tribute to Simpson on the independently produced sports' news talk show It is What It is, where Simpson joined as a football analyst in the last months of his life, and also criticized Caitlyn Jenner for her tweet about Simpson's death. Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith mentioned, "One of the greatest athletes we have ever seen... But it all pales in comparison to him being perceived as a double murderer." Singer Stephanie Mills posted tributes to Simpson on her social media accounts remembering him for his NFL career and Hertz commercials. David Zucker, director of The Naked Gun movies, posted a picture of Simpson on his Instagram, with the caption, "His acting was a lot like his murdering: He got away with it, but no one believed him." Former professional football player Todd Gurley paid tribute to Simpson on Twitter by listing his on-field accomplishments and praised Simpson for being like family to him. Former professional football player Torrey Smith wrote on Twitter that while he's "not a big OJ guy," he feels "the amount journalists/media companies that are using OJ's court pictures to announce his death is disgusting! Regardless of what you may think about him he was innocent in court and has kids out here. Y'all have no respect." Sportscaster Bob Costas who worked with Simpson for several years at NBC Sports, reflected on Simpson's complicated legacy, "I can't think of anyone historical or someone that we may have known where the first chapter and the second chapter of their lives are such a stark contrast," he said noting that Simpson went from a "revered" figure to a "reviled" one.
  
  Simpson was cremated at the Palm Mortuary in Downtown Las Vegas on April 17, 2024. The executor of Simpson's estate announced plans to fight the estate's money going to the Brown and Goldman families, but reversed course soon after. No plans were made for a public memorial, while there were tentative discussions of a celebration of life ceremony for the family. Malcolm LeVergne, the attorney handling Simpson's estate, stated that his cremains will be given to his children.
  
  Simpson was featured in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 24th BET Awards, surprising people in attendance. Simpson was also featured in the "In Memoriam" segment at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.