There was a time when the world could not get enough of one Orenthal James Simpson. O.J. Simpson, better known as “The Juice,” was one of the most prolific runners in the history of the National Football League. He held the record for most yards in a game, as well as in a season. His face was on movie billboards and the television featured him hurdling airport chairs with reckless abandoned.
Later years have not been so favorable to the NFL Hall of Famer. The spotlight faded, and so did the opportunities for Simpson. O.J. tried to avoid trouble, but unfortunately, it had no problems finding him. He was accused of the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ronald Goldman. He was acquitted of those charges, but had a civil ruling go against him, garnering most of what income he had.
Perhaps that is what set him off when he and a posse of gentlemen went to a Las Vegas casino. Upon arrival, they went to a hotel room to confront two memorabilia collectors that had some of Simpson’s old treasures. When the incident was concluded, Simpson was brought up on kidnapping and armed robbery charges. He was subsequently convicted, given a sentence that could run as much as 33 years in length.
His five plus years in the slammer since the conviction have been tough on the former running back. That is why Simpson took to video conferencing this week, meeting with the Nevada Parole Board. O.J. was pleading for some leniency from the Board, hoping that they would take into account what a model inmate he has been. Simpson has not gotten into any trouble and says that he has taken to counseling other inmates.
Simpson’s good deeds were not the only reason he is looking for a break from the parole board. He is also missing his family and their precious moments. In a quote on CNN.com, Simpson said, “I missed my two younger kids who worked hard getting through high school, I missed their college graduations. I missed my sister’s funeral. I missed all the birthdays.” He was on the verge of tears at various points in his video presentation to the board.
While touching, parole boards are not supposed to be swayed by emotion. If this group does that, one must also wonder if some of his past exploits might be in the back of their minds. If they do decide to give Simpson a break, do not expect to see O.J. back in society anytime soon.
Giving him leniency on one charge brings his others to the forefront. Simpson will still have to serve those, which could be another four years for the former All-Pro. He will know the results in two weeks, but one has to wonder if O.J. really is repented. This quote from CNN could make one wonder. “The difference between all of their crimes and mine is that they were trying to steal other people’s property, they were trying to steal other people’s money. My crime was trying to retrieve, for my family, my own property.”
That does not sound like a fellow that has taken responsibility for his actions. It sounds like a guy that thinks what he did was justified, simply because the stuff was once his.