The 2024 BET Awards has ignited a firestorm of debate following its decision to include O.J. Simpson in its “In Memoriam” segment, a tribute typically reserved for celebrating individuals who exemplified “Black excellence” and who passed away in the previous year.
Simpson, who died in April at 76 after battling prostate cancer, was featured alongside respected figures such as actor Bill Cobbs, baseball legend Willie Mays, film producer Clarence Avant, and actor Carl Weathers.
The former NFL star and actor was simply credited as a “former NFL player,” a description that noticeably omitted his controversial legal history.
The inclusion of Simpson, who was infamously acquitted in the criminal trial for the 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman, caught many off guard.
While the segment generally elicited cheers and applause for other honorees, Simpson’s appearance was met with a mix of muted applause, murmurs, and noticeable silence from the audience.
The decision to memorialize Simpson has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Fred Goldman, Ron’s father, expressed his disapproval to TMZ, stating, “I think they shouldn’t include anyone of that caliber — a wife beater, murderer… can’t imagine why they would include someone like that.”
Nicole’s sister, Tanya Brown, echoed these sentiments, calling the tribute “inappropriate” and demanding an apology from BET to domestic violence victims.
Simpson’s legacy remains deeply contentious. Despite his acquittal in the criminal trial, he was found responsible for the deaths in a civil lawsuit. His later conviction for armed robbery in 2008, resulting in a 33-year prison sentence (of which he served nine years), further tarnished his reputation.
As of now, BET has not publicly commented on their decision to include Simpson in the tribute. The network’s silence in the face of mounting criticism adds another layer to the unfolding controversy.
Here’s how critic Dan Abrams responded —