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Cam Newton Ignites Massive Outrage with Shocking O.J. Simpson Comment on ESPN – Fans in Uproar

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Cam Newton and O.J. Simpson.
Cam Newton and O.J. Simpson (Photos via ESPN and Imagn Images)

NFL fans are ripping on former star quarterback Cam Newton after his eyebrow-raising comment about the late O.J. Simpson.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports signed the former first overall pick of 2011 in October of last year, before Newton agreed to a multi-year extension in the summer. The 2015 league MVP mainly works on their popular “First Take” program, led by longtime host Stephen A. Smith.

Newton’s career in the NFL media began to take off with his popular “4th & 1” podcast, where he delivered sharp and crisp football analysis. Combine that with his slick outfits and outgoing personality, and it was an easy call for ESPN to bring in Newton.

But on Monday, Newton stirred the pot with some comments about the late O.J. Simpson, who died in April 2024 at the age of 76.

On yesterday’s edition of “First Take”, Cam Newton noted that the Pittsburgh Steelers allowed 249 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, the most allowed in a home game in half a century.

“The last person to put up this much yards (against the Steelers on the road), God rest his soul, was O. J. Simpson, respectfully,” Newton said.

Per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Sunday marked the most rushing yards the Steelers allowed in a home game since Sept. 28, 1975. The Bills put up 310 rushing yards, with Simpson accounting for 227 of them.

Fans Take Issue With Cam Newton’s Comments on Simpson

Cam Newton smiling
Cam Newton (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images)

Predictably, Newton faced significant backlash over his reference to Simpson.

“I think Cam needs to remember that OJ murdered two people … yes OJ was a great football player but was a horrible evil person… Cam doesn’t get it,” one fan said.

“I don’t mean to dance on his grave but, c’mon, man. What are we doing here?!?” a user asked.

“Kinda weird considering – by the time Cam was 9-10 years old, it came out OJ was a murderer but played ball in the 70s ,” a fan wrote.

“He knew what he was doing. It’s all for clicks and outrage,” wrote another.

“I don’t even have a response. Why? I blame the hat! 🎩,” said a fan.

“Nobody will ever convince me that we don’t pay athletes enough money,” another remarked.

Despite his Hall of Fame career and Hollywood success, Simpson’s legacy remains deeply complicated. Even with significant DNA and circumstantial evidence, he was controversially acquitted in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

Simpson was found civilly liable for Nicole’s and Ronald’s deaths and ordered to pay $33.5 million. In 2007, he was convicted of armed robbery in Las Vegas and sentenced to 33 years, serving nine before parole.

He died three months before his 77th birthday on Apr. 10, 2024, after battling prostate cancer. Simpson was survived by his four children.

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