O.J. Simpson’s Inclusion in BET Awards In Memoriam Divides Viewers
O.J. Simpson managed to stir controversy at Sunday night’s BET Awards when the former NFL star, accused murderer, and convicted kidnapper was featured in the show’s In Memoriam segment.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “a noticeable silence fell over the crowd” when Simpson’s face popped up amongst legends like Carl Weather, Willie Mays, and Ron Cephas Jones. “A moment later, there was a smattering of applause,” the outlet reported, “but many in the audience were a bit surprised to see his face, with one person in attendance noticing some titters among the crowd.”
The in memoriam segment of the BET Awards honored OJ Simpson 👀 pic.twitter.com/TeDsgqF8wR
— Jennifer Mascia (@JenniferMascia) July 1, 2024
"It's never easy to say goodbye to those who influence us, but we can take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions to the culture," actress Tia Mowry said as she introduced the segment.
Simpson was a college football star before becoming one of the most celebrated players in NFL history. He later parlayed his success into acting roles in The Towering Inferno and, most famously, the Naked Gun franchise.
However, his legacy is overshadowed by the accusation that he murdered his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in 1994. Simpson was prosecuted in the “trial of the century,” but was found not guilty. He was later convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping after an ill-fated Las Vegas robbery and spent nearly 10 years in prison. He was released in 2017.
When Simspon died at age 76 back in April, his demise was met with a flurry of opposing reactions. Predictably, his inclusion at the BET Awards had the same effect.
Ngl.. I nearly changed the channel once OJ Simpson popped up on the screen during that in memoriam at the Bet Awards 2024. Like no…. He should have been excluded.
— 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖔𝖕𝖍𝖊𝖗 (@GriffinWingz) July 1, 2024
OJ SIMPSON IN THE MEMORIAL PORTION OF THE BET AWARDS IS SENDING ME
— the kenn print 𖤐 (@degreesofK) July 1, 2024
OJ Simpson popped up on the screen and ppl in the audience didn't know what to do #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/Ez8SvXce1N
— A# (@1stLex_2ndSharp) July 1, 2024
Not OJ Simpson #BETAwards pic.twitter.com/PoCWGusMyP
— I said so. (@charcekage) July 1, 2024
BET y'all have really lost y'all mind including Oj Simpson in the memorandum #betawards pic.twitter.com/9oGTa5VpCk
— Manny's Millennial Mouth (@MannyMillenialM) July 1, 2024
Muting Usher’s speech but adding OJ Simpson to the “In Memoriam” is crazy 💀#BETAwards #BETExperience #bet
— Diego Sanchez (@Mexicano1089) July 1, 2024
Some, however, contended that BET did the right thing by including Simpson.
I still can’t believe the laughter them ppl in the audience let out when OJ’s picture came up in the RIP section at the bet awards 😩😩😩 he lowkey had the loudest cheer too tho 😂😂😂
— Everybody hates kie! (@KieLovesKie) July 1, 2024
Shout out to BET for not being afraid to put OJ Simpson in the rest in peace tribute 😂😂😂
— ufo pilot (@blakeyblake__) July 1, 2024
Others, who hadn’t heard of Simpson’s passing, thanked the BET Awards for their inadvertent public service.
My mom didn’t know that OJ Simpson died as had to find out through the tribute segment of the BET awards💀💀
— Ann; Dainsleif Lover (@blkdain) July 1, 2024
BET has not publicly addressed the decision to include Simpson in the In Memoriam segment.