Countdown to kickoff is back! USC will kick off its 2026 football season on August 29 when the Trojans host San Jose State at the Coliseum. In this series, we will be counting down the days until the season opener by highlighting a notable Trojan who wore each number.
Today, we look at one of the most controversial figures in American history: USC Heisman Trophy running back O.J. Simpson.
Position: Running back
Years played at USC: 1967-1968
Career highlights: After playing two years at the junior college level, Simpson arrived at USC in 1967. It did not take him very long to make an impact. In his first season with the Trojans, Simpson led the country in rushing, and was named a Unanimous All-American. His iconic 64-yard touchdown run propelled USC to a 21-20 victory over rival UCLA en route to winning the national championship.
The following season, Simpson once again led the country in rushing, and was once again named a Unanimous All-American. He was also awarded the Heisman Trophy, becoming the second Trojan to win the award, following Mike Garrett three years prior. Simpson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973.
After USC: The Buffalo Bills selected Simpson with the first overall pick in the 1969 NFL Draft. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career that featured five first-team All-Pro honors, four times leading the league in rushing, and becoming the first player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
Of course, Simpson is best known for what happened after his playing career came to an end. From the alleged murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, to the infamous Ford Bronco chase, to the highly-publicized criminal trial that ended in his extremely controversial acquittal, to his being found liable for their deaths in the civil trial, to his arrest for burglary in Las Vegas more than a decade later, books could be (and have been) written about Simpson and one of the wildest sagas that we have ever seen from a celebrity.
Simpson passed away from cancer in 2024 at the age of 76. USC did not issue a statement following his death.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC countdown to kickoff: Recalling Trojans running back O.J. Simpson
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire | USA TODAY Network
