Pro Football Hall of Fame flew flag at half staff for O.J. Simpson, while the Bills did nothing

By Mke Florio
Published April 13, 2024 02:26 PM

The death of O.J. Simpson has sparked very different reactions in some circles, despite the fact that he killed Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman in 1994.

An item from Tim Graham of TheAthletic.com paints the contrast in jaw-dropping terms.

The Buffalo Bills did nothing to commemorate Simpson’s passing. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, in addition to issuing a lengthy statement that didn’t mention his murders, actually lowered its flag to half staff in honor of Simpson.

The Hall of Fame is a bit of an odd place, frankly. There doesn’t seem to be anyone who can make big decisions without running it by a committee where it would die until well after the moment for action passes. And the Hall of Fame’s convictions seemed to be rooted not in principles but in policies that remain rigid and inflexible, until they suddenly change for no apparent reason.

Dan Pompei of TheAthletic.com wrote an item regarding the likelihood that Simpson’s bust will remain in Canton. At this point, why wouldn’t it? If they didn’t melt it down after the murders in 1994 or the civil judgment of wrongful death that followed the inexplicable acquittal or the felony conviction that put him behind bars for nearly nine years in Nevada, there’s no reason for Simpson to be removed simply because he’s no longer alive.

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