Statements
Thirty years ago today marked one of the most unforgettable and infamous days in sports history. Moments of great celebration featuring iconic sports figures were overshadowed by the late O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
On Friday, June 17, 1994, notable sports events were aplenty: Arnold Palmer teed up for his final U.S. Open round, the Los Angeles police brought Simpson into custody following a two-hour, low-speed car pursuit, New York City had championship fever, the first World Cup on U.S. soil began, and Ken Griffey Jr. achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Babe Ruth.
However, the dark narrative about the murder charges filed against Simpson intertwined all these events.
Simpson had transformed his gridiron accomplishments into a successful career as an actor, football analyst, and commercial pitchman. Yet, June 17, 1994, would see his legacy dramatically altered.
Morning: Palmer's Emotional Exit
At 9:07 a.m., Arnold Palmer teed off for his final U.S. Open round. Despite missing the cut at 16-over, Palmer's fan base showed immense support, and he grew emotional after concluding his round. Although Palmer's competitive career was winding down, Ernie Els, at just 24 years old, clinched his first major by defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death hole.
Mid-Morning: Rangers' Triumph
At 10:17 a.m., the New York Rangers celebrated ending their 54-year Stanley Cup drought. Mark Messier had scored the decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7, and the team paraded the Cup through New York's "Canyon of Heroes," where an estimated 1.5 million people packed the streets. The celebration concluded with the players receiving keys to the city from Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Unfortunately, the Rangers haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1994, experiencing heartbreaks in later years.
Midday: Simpson's Charges
By 11:09 a.m., news broke that murder charges had been filed against O.J. Simpson, accusing him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies were discovered just days earlier outside Brown Simpson's house, both having been brutally stabbed to death. Amid the celebrations, attention dramatically shifted to Simpson, quickly becoming the Los Angeles Police Department's prime suspect.
At 1:55 p.m., LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference, stating that authorities were searching for Simpson, who had not turned himself in after the charges were filed.
Afternoon: World Cup Kickoff
At 3:00 p.m., the 1994 FIFA World Cup marked the first time the event was held in the United States. The opening ceremonies at Soldier Field featured Oprah Winfrey introducing Diana Ross, followed by President Bill Clinton addressing the crowd. The match saw Germany secure a 1-0 victory over Bolivia, with the United States advancing to the knockout stage but ultimately losing to Brazil, who went on to win their fourth World Cup title.
Evening: Griffey's Historic Home Run
Ken Griffey Jr. continued his phenomenal start to the 1994 MLB season at 8:06 p.m., hitting a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone. This achievement tied him with Babe Ruth as the only players to hit 30 home runs before June 30. Unfortunately, the 1994-95 MLB strike ended the season prematurely, leading to the cancellation of the World Series for just the second time in history.
Night: The Chase Begins
At 8:56 p.m., Simpson and Al “AC” Cowlings fled from police in a white Ford Bronco, embarking on a low-speed chase that lasted a couple of hours and covered roughly 60 miles of California pavement. Broadcasting networks across America interrupted their scheduled programming to show the chase live. Simpson, who had a gun in the car, was eventually talked down by police and returned home without incident. The streets were mobbed with people trying to catch a glimpse of the pursuit, which ended when Simpson pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m.
Night: NBA Finals Amid Chaos
Meanwhile, as Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks ensued, NBC briefly interrupted the game to provide updates on Simpson's whereabouts. Despite the distractions, the Knicks secured a 91-84 win behind Patrick Ewing's 25 points, though Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points. The Knicks would go on to lose Games 6 and 7 in Houston, with the Rockets sweeping the Orlando Magic the following season.
Late Night: Simpson in Custody
At 11:47 p.m., after discarding his gun, Simpson exited the Bronco, entered his home, called his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice. The LAPD subsequently took Simpson into custody, charging him with the murders of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. The high-profile trial began in January 1995, lasting until October, and ended in Simpson's acquittal. In a 1997 civil lawsuit, Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and battery, ordered to pay over $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
Quotes
"We spoke to Mr. [Robert] Shapiro, we expressed our dismay, and we indicated to him that we expect to see Mr. Simpson immediately, if not sooner."