The Buffalo Bills announced their decision not to honor former running back OJ Simpson during a ceremony set to be held at Highmark Stadium, the team’s new arena in Orchard Park, New York.
The Terry Pegula-led franchise will feature the legacies of former legends in the “Family Circle,” a plaza built outside the stadium that will serve as a community spot for pregame as well as postgame activities for Bills faithful.
However, Simpson is reportedly said to be the only member of the team’s “Wall of Fame” who will be missing at the new Family Circle. The team was reportedly debating whether to include Simpson in the new plaza, with designers considering both scenarios, before the decision to snub Simpson was made.
As the team’s decision was made public, fans took to social media to express their opinions on the Bills distancing themselves from Simpson.
One fan commented:
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One Bills fan commented:
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The team also released an official statement.
“We have made an organizational decision that he is not a fit to display inside our new stadium and family circle,” Bills president of business operations Pete Guelli said in a statement.
OJ Simpson’s Legacy With Buffalo
The first overall pick in the 1969 NFL draft, Simpson joined the Buffalo Bills as one of the best college running backs of all time, rushing for 3,423 yards and 36 touchdowns in just two seasons at USC.
While his professional career took off slower than expected, Simpson rushed for his first 1,000-yard season in his fourth year, putting up 1,251 yards, followed by a breakout season where Simpson became the first running back in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard barrier.
Simpson also joined Browns legend Jim Brown in becoming just the second running back in NFL history to win Most Valuable Player honors.
While Simpson did not have much postseason success in his career, he ended his time with the Buffalo Bills as the team’s leading rusher with 10,183 yards, before Thurman Thomas overtook the record with 11,938 yards over an 11-year stint.
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