The Cauldron

The worst feeling one can have for a fellow human being is pity. Pity is far worse than hate, because in pitying somebody, you realize that they are so pathetic that you can't even hate them.

So, to say that I hate former Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson simply does not suffice. But I sure do pity the man.

The same man who in 1967 led the nation with 1,451 yards rushing while playing tailback for the University of Southern California Trojans. The same man who in 1968 won the Heisman Trophy by the greatest margin ever, as well as the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award. The same man who was the overall No. 1 draft pick in the 1968 NFL Draft. The same man who is 16th overall on the NFL's all-time rushing list. And yes, the same man who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1985.

However, Simpson's impressive resume can easily be overlooked after his acquittal of the double murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1994, the infamous low-speed police chase while followed by police in a white Ford Bronco SUV, his $33 million civil judgment which he has not paid one cent for, the $1.44 million that he owes in past due taxes in 1999, and now on Oct. 3, justice was done Simpson himself was found guilty of multiple felony counts, including robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, assault, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.

Simpson, once considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL simply could not keep himself out of trouble. Now at the age of 61, he may spend the rest of his life in jail.

Sadly, it seems fair. Poetic justice at its best.

In September of 2007 Simpson along with his henchmen entered a Las Vegas hotel room robbing its occupants at gun point of their sports memorabilia. Ironically the verdict came 13 years ago to the exact day of his murder trial. What a difference 13 years makes.

A lot has changed since "The Juice", as he was affectionately called, was awarded the 1973 AP Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Now, instead of being an ESPN television football analyst, a famous coach, or even a star retired player who can enjoy the good life, Simpson will likely spend the rest of his life in a small jail cell, where he can ponder what might have been with his life.

Prison is not a kind place, but a Las Vegas prison may be a better fit for Orenthal James Simpson than in Canton, Ohio, where his Buffalo Bills helmet, jersey, and spikes are on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his 1973 Season MVP Award.

Simpson's attorney Yale Galanter told reporters last week, "This was just payback." Referring to the decision made in his recent trial.

Galanter was obviously referring to the murder charges Simpson was acquitted of back in 1994, when most of America felt he got away with murder.

Was it a payback?

I don't believe Galanter, or anyone reading this article can be the judge of that. However, we can look at Simpson's storied life and begin to understand how much he lost due to life altering decisions he chose.

Perhaps the father of the murdered Ronald Goldman said it best last week. Fred Goldman told CNN, "We're absolutely thrilled to see that potentially he could serve the rest of his life in jail where the scumbag belongs."

The name calling is not needed Mr. Goldman, but you are right; Simpson does deserve life in prison. And for that, I pity him.

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