OJ Simpson Heisman Trophy Recovered, Two Decades Later
The trophy was stolen in 1994, ahead of Simpson's murder trial.
— -- A Heisman Trophy honoring O.J. Simpson has been recovered two decades after it was stolen, Los Angeles Police said.
The trophy and a jersey were stolen from display cases on the University of Southern California’s campus on July 28, 1994 – a time when Simpson was awaiting trial for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and acquaintance Ronald Goldman. Simpson was acquitted of the murders in a 1995 criminal trial, but was forced to pay restitution in a later civil trial.
The burglars dismantled Plexiglas displays in Heritage Hall to reach the jersey and trophy, which was a duplicate given to the university for Simpson’s 1968 season.
Simpson was awarded the Heisman – given annually to college football’s best player – after rushing for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns that year. He was the first overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft and compiled 11,236 career rushing yards as a professional.
The recovered trophy is in the custody of the LAPD, police said, and the investigation is ongoing. Police did not say how they recovered the trophy.
Simpson’s personal Heisman Trophy was seized under the $33.5 million civil judgment and auctioned in 1999 for $230,000.
Simpson is currently imprisoned after a 2008 conviction for kidnapping and armed robbery in a hotel room heist in Las Vegas.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.