O.J. Simpson dead of cancer at age 76

O.J. Simpson, whose fame shifted from one of the greatest running backs in NFL history to suspect in a hotly debated murder case, has died, his family announced Thursday.

Simpson, 76, died Wednesday after a battle with cancer.

"On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer. 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 family wrote on social media.

To the general public, Simpson was a sports celebrity whose life changed during an infamous and lengthy police chase throughout Los Angeles in a Ford Bronco. Viewership for the chase on live television was estimated at 95 million.

Simpson had been a person of interest to police in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. He was later charged in the case but acquitted in a decision that remains controversial to this day.

Simpson’s legal issues weren’t over. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison for the burglary is a Las Vegas hotel in 2007.

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It was a sharp contrast to the O.J. Simpson cheered by football fans. As a running back at USC, Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 after rushing for a record 1,709 yards.

He then was the No. 1 pick in the 1969 draft by the Buffalo Bills and enjoyed a career that culminated with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Simpson, who also played for the San Francisco 49ers, finished with 11,236 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns.

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Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: O.J. Simpson dies: Former NFL legend battled cancer, family says