O.J. Simpson, the National Football League superstar who was acquitted of double murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in a widely publicized trial in 1994, has passed away.

He was 76.

Simpson’s family confirmed the news on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday.

“On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the post said. “He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace. -The Simpson Family.”

Born in San Fransisco in 1947, Simpson played college football for the University of Southern California where he won the Heisman Trophy. He was later selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft. Simpson was named MVP in 1973. He was named All-Pro five times, and he appeared in the Pro Bowl five times. He was NFL rushing yards leader four times.

Simpson also had an acting career, appearing on television shows like “Dragnet” and later during his NFL career the popular television series “Roots” in 1977 and films like “The Towering Inferno” in 1974 and “Capricorn One” in 1978. He also appeared in all three entries of “The Naked Gun” spoof-comedy trilogy.

In 1994, Simpson was arrested and charged with the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. After a widely publicized trial that permeated the American zeitgeist, Simpson was acquitted of the charges but found liable for the deaths three years later in a civil suit from the victims’ families.

In 2007, Simpson was arrested in Las Vegas and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping. He was convicted and sentenced to 33 years in prison. He was granted parole in July 2017, and was later granted early release from his parole in 2021.