Simpson was a huge celebrity, the recipient of a Heisman Trophy

Simpson was a huge celebrity, the recipient of a Heisman Trophy, a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Simpson was a huge celebrity, the recipient of a Heisman Trophy, a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and roles in iconic movies like Naked Gun. Simpson was the guy you thought of when you picked up your Hertz rental car thanks to work in commercials.

Experts say his trial marked the start of the 24-hour news cycle, with Court TV and CNN covering every development and viewers eating it all up. When the jury controversially acquitted Simpson, an estimated 150 million people were watching.

The trial also came at a time when racial tensions were especially high in Los Angeles following the police beating of Rodney King four years earlier. One of the defense’s key arguments was a tape of LA Detective Mark Fuhrman using racist slurs., and roles in iconic movies like Naked Gun. Simpson was the guy you thought of when you picked up your Hertz rental car thanks to work in commercials.

Experts say his trial marked the start of the 24-hour news cycle, with Court TV and CNN covering every development and viewers eating it all up. When the jury controversially acquitted Simpson, an estimated 150 million people were watching.

The trial also came at a time when racial tensions were especially high in Los Angeles following the police beating of Rodney King four years earlier. One of the defense’s key arguments was a tape of LA Detective Mark Fuhrman using racist slurs.