The BET Awards faced criticism for including an O.J. Simpson tribute in their “In Memoriam” segment on June 30, 2024. Simpson, a former football player and actor, was acquitted of murdering his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman.
Many, including Ron’s father, Fred, found it inappropriate and called for an apology. Attendees at the ceremony reacted with silence and discomfort to the tribute. Nicole’s sister, Tanya, condemned the decision, calling it a slap in the face to victims of domestic violence.
Goldman’s father, Fred, told NBC News:
He later told TMZ:
Nicole Brown’s sister condemns the individuals responsible for honoring O.J. Simpson at the BET Awards.
The BET Awards have not addressed the controversy surrounding the tribute. The gesture has sparked outrage and renewed debate over Simpson’s legacy as a controversial figure. Simpson, best known for his role in the Naked Gun series, was never fully held accountable for the murders despite being found liable in a civil trial. He published a hypothetical account of the crimes in a book in 2007.
