(NOTE TO READERS – As 2025 approaches, the SBJ is featuring some of our favorite content from this year. This Doug Ireland column, recalling Joe Ferguson’s reaction to O.J. Simpson’s 1994 murder arrest, originally ran in the Journal on April 18. More favorites will follow before New Year’s Day. Enjoy!)
O.J. Simpson died last week. He was already dead to a large portion of Americans since his arrest for the brutal June 12, 1994 slayings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, waiter Ron Goldman.
He was taken into custody at his home in Brentwood, Cal., at the end of his infamous freeway ride that captivated the nation’s TV viewers as thousands of Los Angeles residents gathered roadside and on overpasses to watch the spectacle. The driver of the white Ford Bronco, his USC football teammate Al Cowlings, told police during the low-speed pursuit that Simpson, huddled in the back seat, had a gun and was at times holding it to his head.
During the ride, Simpson’s lawyer Robert Kardashian (the first Kardashian you ever heard of) held a press conference to read a letter from his client that said, “Don’t feel sorry for me … I’ve had a great life, great friends. Please think of the real O.J. and not this lost person.”
You know this already. You know the football great was acquitted of murder charges in the longest trial in California history, January-October 1995. You know the verdict disgusted much of America, and provided vindication to others, chiefly Blacks who believed the justice system was unfair and prejudiced. You know the L.A. police department had a long-standing record of corruption and misconduct, and that undermined Simpson’s prosecution.
But here’s what only about 500 people know: the poignant words of his Buffalo Bills’ quarterback, Shreveport-Woodlawn football hero Joe Ferguson, at the end of his acceptance speech at the 1994 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Natchitoches.
The induction was just a couple of weeks after Simpson’s arrest. Ferguson had fielded plenty of calls from media asking for his reaction. Most notably, he was a guest on TV’s hottest news interview show, Larry King Live on CNN, and as anyone who knew Ferguson at all would expect, Joe was cautious, concerned for his former teammate, sickened by the crime and agonized by what seemed undeniable. It still does.
Nobody asked Joe about O.J. at the Hall of Fame press conference. Wasn’t the time or place. The weekend was about celebrating Ferguson’s incredible career, from the mind-boggling days at Woodlawn to a stellar college performance with the Arkansas Razorbacks, then 12 NFL seasons, seven in Buffalo, the first five with Simpson, including Joe’s rookie year of 1973 when the Juice got loose to set the NFL single-season rushing record with 2,003 yards in 14 games.
Ferguson’s LSHOF induction class was star-studded: Grambling football and pro wrestling legend Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd, Lady Techster and Wade Trophy winner Pam Kelly, Grambling basketball coaching great Fred Hobdy, and Denver Broncos’ sack master Rich Jackson of New Orleans joined him as headliners.
The biggest part of the audience that night came from Shreveport-Bossier to cheer on Joe. His graceful speech celebrated those precious times at Woodlawn, what he understandably called the most fun he ever had playing football.
He was the last speaker. The mutual admiration in the room, with the partisan crowd, was palpable. Then he wrapped up his remarks the way he rolled – never sidestepping anything, and on this night, not the elephant in the room.
“Before I go,” Ferguson said, “I need to say something. I know you’ve all seen the news over the last couple of weeks about the horrible situation in Los Angeles. I’ve been asked about it a lot, and it’s very confusing, and very sad. I truly don’t know what to say, except this.
“I’d like to ask you a favor tonight – please pray for my friend, O.J.”
What an exit line. Thirty years later, it epitomizes Ferguson’s class, loyalty, and grace.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com