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The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson

Updated 4:32 PM ET, Thu July 20, 2017

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O.J. Simpson reacts after learning he was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center on Thursday, July 20, in Lovelock, Nevada. Simpson is serving a nine-to-33-year prison term for a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping conviction. Click through the gallery to see moments from the notable life of the former football and media star.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
O.J. Simpson reacts after learning he was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center on Thursday, July 20, in Lovelock, Nevada. Simpson is serving a nine-to-33-year prison term for a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping conviction. Click through the gallery to see moments from the notable life of the former football and media star.
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As a University of Southern California running back, Simpson accepts the Heisman Trophy in December 1968.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
As a University of Southern California running back, Simpson accepts the Heisman Trophy in December 1968.
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Simpson, pictured in 1974, was a running back for the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson, pictured in 1974, was a running back for the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977.
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Simpson with his wife, Marguerite Whitley, his daughter Arnelle and son Jason, circa 1974. The couple were married from 1967 to 1979. They had another daughter, Aaren, who died as a toddler in a drowning accident.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson with his wife, Marguerite Whitley, his daughter Arnelle and son Jason, circa 1974. The couple were married from 1967 to 1979. They had another daughter, Aaren, who died as a toddler in a drowning accident.
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Simpson in action during a Buffalo Bills game against the New York Jets.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson in action during a Buffalo Bills game against the New York Jets.
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Simpson married Nicole Brown Simpson in 1985. Here the couple appears at a Los Angeles nightclub around 1976.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson married Nicole Brown Simpson in 1985. Here the couple appears at a Los Angeles nightclub around 1976.
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Coach Lou Sabin and O.J. Simpson
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Coach Lou Sabin and O.J. Simpson
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Simpson branched out into acting. He appears with Bill Murray, left, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris in a "Saturday Night Live" skit in 1978.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson branched out into acting. He appears with Bill Murray, left, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris in a "Saturday Night Live" skit in 1978.
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As a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Simpson carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game circa 1978.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
As a running back for the San Francisco 49ers, Simpson carries the ball against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game circa 1978.
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Simpson becomes a commentator on ABC's "Monday Night Football" in the mid-'80s. He appears with Joe Namath, left, and Frank Gifford.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson becomes a commentator on ABC's "Monday Night Football" in the mid-'80s. He appears with Joe Namath, left, and Frank Gifford.
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Simpson and his children attend Nicole Brown Simpson's funeral in June 1994.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson and his children attend Nicole Brown Simpson's funeral in June 1994.
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Ronald Goldman was slain with Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson on June 12, 1994.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Ronald Goldman was slain with Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson on June 12, 1994.
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In footage seen on TV screens around the world, police chase a white Ford Bronco with a fugitive Simpson inside on the Los Angeles freeways on June 17, 1994. The Bronco eventually returned to Simpson's home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, and he surrendered to police on murder charges in the deaths of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
In footage seen on TV screens around the world, police chase a white Ford Bronco with a fugitive Simpson inside on the Los Angeles freeways on June 17, 1994. The Bronco eventually returned to Simpson's home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, and he surrendered to police on murder charges in the deaths of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman.
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Simpson's mug shot after his arrest on murder charges.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson's mug shot after his arrest on murder charges.
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Fans leave signs of support outside Simpson's house in June 1994.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Fans leave signs of support outside Simpson's house in June 1994.
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Lead defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. and prosecutor Marcia Clark face off during a hearing in the murder trial that riveted a nation.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Lead defense attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr. and prosecutor Marcia Clark face off during a hearing in the murder trial that riveted a nation.
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<a href="http://www.cnn.com/US/OJ/daily/9-27/8pm/">"If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" </a>was defense attorney Cochran's mantra during the trial. Here, Simpson tries on a leather glove tied to the crime scene at his murder trial on June 15, 1995.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
"If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" was defense attorney Cochran's mantra during the trial. Here, Simpson tries on a leather glove tied to the crime scene at his murder trial on June 15, 1995.
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Simpson cheers with his attorneys F. Lee Bailey, left, and Johnnie Cochan Jr. on October 3, 1995, after being found not guilty of killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Though cleared of criminal charges, a civil jury later slapped the former football star with a $33 million wrongful death judgment, and attorneys for the Goldman family have doggedly pursued his assets.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson cheers with his attorneys F. Lee Bailey, left, and Johnnie Cochan Jr. on October 3, 1995, after being found not guilty of killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. Though cleared of criminal charges, a civil jury later slapped the former football star with a $33 million wrongful death judgment, and attorneys for the Goldman family have doggedly pursued his assets.
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Simpson continued to encounter legal problems, including a "road rage" trial in the Miami area in October 2001. He was found not guilty on charges stemming from a traffic altercation with another motorist.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson continued to encounter legal problems, including a "road rage" trial in the Miami area in October 2001. He was found not guilty on charges stemming from a traffic altercation with another motorist.
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Simpson appears in court with attorneys Gabriel Grasso, left, and Yale Galanter before sentencing in the sports memorabilia case in December 2008 in Las Vegas. Simpson contended he was retrieving personal items that had been stolen from him and were being sold as memorabilia. He later accused Galanter of having a conflict of interest and failing to mount an effective defense.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson appears in court with attorneys Gabriel Grasso, left, and Yale Galanter before sentencing in the sports memorabilia case in December 2008 in Las Vegas. Simpson contended he was retrieving personal items that had been stolen from him and were being sold as memorabilia. He later accused Galanter of having a conflict of interest and failing to mount an effective defense.
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The Palace Station hotel room, the scene of Simpson's reported confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers, is displayed on a monitor during Simpson's trial in September 2008.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
The Palace Station hotel room, the scene of Simpson's reported confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers, is displayed on a monitor during Simpson's trial in September 2008.
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Simpson embraces his sister, Carmelita Durio, while his friend Tom Scotto looks on in court after a guilty verdict was reached in October 2008. Simpson was convicted of leading a group of associates into a room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino and using threats, guns and force to take back items from two dealers.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Simpson embraces his sister, Carmelita Durio, while his friend Tom Scotto looks on in court after a guilty verdict was reached in October 2008. Simpson was convicted of leading a group of associates into a room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino and using threats, guns and force to take back items from two dealers.
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Disgraced football star O.J. Simpson appears in court on May 13, 2013, seeking to get his robbery, assault and kidnapping convictions thrown out after spending more than four years in prison. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/13/justice/oj-simpson-appeal/index.html">He argued that bad legal advice led to his arrest and conviction in a confrontation</a> with sports memorabilia dealers. His 2008 conviction came 13 years after his acquittal on murder charges in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
Photos: The rise and fall of O.J. Simpson
Disgraced football star O.J. Simpson appears in court on May 13, 2013, seeking to get his robbery, assault and kidnapping convictions thrown out after spending more than four years in prison. He argued that bad legal advice led to his arrest and conviction in a confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers. His 2008 conviction came 13 years after his acquittal on murder charges in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
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From the Heisman trophy through numerous trials, O.J Simpson has been a notable cultural symbol.