O.J. Simpson’s inclusion in the 2024 BET Awards “In Memoriam” segment of the show has triggered backlash from viewers, particularly from the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
The annual “In Memoriam” tribute is meant to honor stars who have passed away within the past year, and this year’s included commended figures such as revered actor Louis Gosset Jr., “Rocky’s” Carl Weathers, and baseball icon Willie Mays, alongside Simpson.
Fred Goldman, Ron Goldman’s father, told NBC News on Monday that he felt including Simpson in the tribute was inappropriate.
“I thought it was wrong,” Goldman said in a phone interview. “I thought it was just wrong. It’s hard to imagine that he would fall in the same category as the vast majority of other people they honor.”
Meanwhile, Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister, Tanya, told TMZ: “It’s inappropriate to give an abuser and murderer recognition.”
“Whoever thought of doing that owes every domestic violence victim an apology …and that’s including our family. And, they should be fired,” she added.
On social media, some users also voiced their distaste with BET’s decision to include Simpson in the tribute. One X user wrote: “Ngl.. I nearly changed the channel once OJ Simpson popped up on the screen during that in memoriam at the Bet awards 2024. Like no… he should have been excluded,”
Actress Tia Mowry introduced the “In Memoriam” during the award show. “”It’s never easy to say goodbye to those who influence us, but we can take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge their contributions to the culture,” she said.
Simpson rose to fame for his NFL career but later became infamous for being accused, and ultimately acquitted, of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Brown Simpson, and her friend Goldman. However, two years later, he was found civilly liable for wrongful death in the homicide case, and a jury ordered him to pay $33 million to Goldman’s family.
Simpson died on April 10th of this year from prostate cancer at the age of 76.
BET has not yet commented on Simpson’s inclusion in the award show’s “In Memoriam.”
