O.J. Simpson’s inclusion in the “In Memoriam” segment at the 2024 BET Awards caused an awkward silence in the audience. When Simpson’s picture appeared on screen, labeled as “Former NFL Player,” the crowd at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles fell silent.
The segment was introduced by actress Tia Mowry as a tribute to the Black excellence that was lost that year. Simpson passed away in April at the age of 76 due to prostate cancer. While he was a former NFL player and actor, Simpson was also infamous for being accused of murdering his ex-wife and her friend, leading to the highly publicized Trial of the Century.
The inclusion of Simpson in the “In Memoriam” segment drew mixed reactions. Some viewers praised BET for including him, while others criticized the decision, including the father of one of the victims and Simpson’s ex-wife’s sister. Despite the controversy, the segment also honored other public figures who passed away that year.
Read some of the comments below:
lol OJ Simpson in memoriam for anything is WILD no matter how you slice it. https://t.co/WsiCVxCsHk pic.twitter.com/X8ric45Lv6
— Anna (@itsafronomics) July 1, 2024
Shout out to BET for not being afraid to put OJ Simpson in the rest in peace tribute 😂😂😂
— ufo pilot (@blakeyblake__) July 1, 2024
