Did O.J. Simpson have CTE? Ex-NFLer was ‘concerned’ before death

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Users on social media have asked a question this week that many have wondered for years: Could O.J. Simpson have suffered from CTE?

After his death on Wednesday at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer, users on social media have suggested his brain be tested for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disorder that has been linked to repeated head injuries.

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The only current way to definitively diagnosis CTE is after death during an autopsy of the brain.

According to Boston University, symptoms of CTE include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, anxiety, suicidality, parkinsonism, and, eventually, progressive dementia.

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Simpson famously was acquitted of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, in 1995.

Simpson played 11 seasons in the NFL, including nine with the Buffalo Bills, where he became known as ‘The Juice.”

He rushed for 11,236 yards in his career and scored 76 touchdowns while capturing four rushing titles.

But after the discovery of CTE in athletes over last decade, Simpson expressed concern that he may have it.

“I get concerned,” Simpson told the Buffalo News in 2018, after his release from prison for armed robbery and kidnapping.

“I do recognize that it probably affects you in short-term memory more than long-term. I know with me, I have days I can’t find words. I literally cannot find words or the name of somebody I know.

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“That gets a little scary. Those days happen when I’m tired.

“I feel all right. But I have days when I can’t … I lose words, and I can’t come up with a simple word. I can’t remember a phone number, so forget that.”

Users on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to comment on the post by his family regarding the controversial figure’s death.

One user wrote: “In all seriousness I really hope OJ Simpson’s family has his brain checked for signs of CTE, out of respect for the Brown and Goldman families, even for his own kids.”

Another posted: “I hope OJ Simpson gave consent to allow his brain to be studied to see if he had CTE. My condolences to his children.”

Several ex-NFL players and other athletes have given consent for their brains to be studied posthumously, but it is uncertain whether Simpson allowed for such testing.

One such NFLer that was found to have a severe CTE is Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots star tight end who was convicted of murder before killing himself in prison.

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