Sports
Reliving June 17, 1994, when OJ Simpson's car chase interrupted the NBA Finals in an already wild sports day
A Pro Football Hall of Famer turned controversial American figure, O.J. Simpson died Tuesday at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer.
Simpson was a household in the United States long before the 1990s, and it all began when he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968.
He went on to have one of the most storied NFL careers, becoming the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in 1973 (that was in a 14-game season, and his 143.1 rushing yards per game that year remains an NFL record), and then going into Canton in 1985.
But less than a decade later, Simpson was the subject of what would be known as the trial of the century. He was on trial accused of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The two were killed on June 12, 1994, but five days later, one of the oddest events in American history would unfold.
OJ Simpson’s car chase interrupted the 1994 NBA Finals (Getty Images)
June 17, 1994, marked the day Simpson was in the back of the infamous white Ford Bronco, driven by Al Cowlings, in a low-speed chase with authorities that was viewed by nearly 100 million people.
But, that wasn’t the only major sporting event happening that day.
It was a Friday – it was also U.S. Open weekend. Arnold Palmer, aged 64 and playing in the tournament for the first time in 11 years, was on the outside looking in at the cut line at Oakmont Country Club in western Pennsylvania. All signs pointed to it being his final round in the U.S. Open, which became the case – he received a rousing standing ovation walking up to the 18th green.
During that round, though, there was a huge party in Manhattan, as the New York Rangers were celebrating their first Stanley Cup victory since 1940 with their parade down the Canyon of Heroes. Madison Square Garden had been the place to be, as later that night, the New York Knicks would host the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It also was the opening of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.
The Rangers’ parade and Palmer’s round had ended before the chase began. The Knicks-Rockets game had tipped off, as well, as it wasn’t until around 6:45 p.m. PT when the Bronco was spotted (the game tipped off roughly 40 minutes earlier). In fact, Robert Kardashian read what was perceived as Simpson’s suicide note less than an hour before tipoff.
A Ford Bronco carrying OJ Simpson (hidden in rear seat) is reportedly driven by Simpson’s former teammate Al Cowlings, chased by dozens of police cars during an hours long pursuit through Los Angeles area freeways on June 17, 1994. (Sam Mircovich/Reuters)
OJ SIMPSON DEAD AT 76: TIMELINE OF KEY MOMENTS FROM FOOTBALL CAREER TO MURDER TRIAL
The Bronco chase came as Simpson did not surrender to police as expected, causing havoc and leading Los Angeles District Attorney Gil Garcetti to officially deem Simpson a “fugitive of justice.” But once cameras found “The Juice,” it trumped the basketball game.
The series was tied 2-2, but with 6:39 to go in the first half, NBC cut from the Finals to the chase. Throughout the rest of the night, the two events would be broadcast simultaneously, with the game being broadcast in a small box in the corner. To this day, some Knicks and Rockets fans are still wondering what they missed when NBC cut from the game.
Simpson, who was set to be charged with the murders, had a gun to his head throughout the car ride, with police begging him not to harm himself and throw the gun out of the car. The 405 was filled with pulled-over cars for miles just hoping to get a glimpse of Simpson, who eventually surrendered at his home.
Motorists stop and wave as police cars pursue the Ford Bronco driven by Al Cowlings, carrying fugitive murder suspect O.J. Simpson, on a 90-minute slow-speed car chase June 17, 1994 on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California. Simpson’s friend Cowlings eventually drove Simpson home, with Simpson ducked under the back passenger seat, to Brentwood where he surrendered after a stand-off with police. (Jean-Marc Giboux/Liaison)
NFL COMMUNITY REACTS AFTER OJ SIMPSON, 76, DIES FOLLOWING CANCER BATTLE
At almost the same time, the Knicks won the game, 91-84, but elated Knicks fans had to squint at the TV to see the team’s biggest win since 1973.
The Rockets won the next two games at home, though, to win the title, and Ernie Els won the U.S. Open that Sunday.
June 17, 1994 was just the beginning of what became the arguably biggest trial ever. Simpson was eventually found not guilty of the murders, but found financially liable in a civil court later on.
O.J. Simpson wearing the blood stained gloves found by Los Angeles Police and entered into evidence in Simpson ‘s murder trial on June 15, 1995. (STR New/Reuters)
The day’s events are featured in an ESPN “30 for 30,” simply titled, “June 17, 1994,” a documentary film that features no narration or interviews – just clips from the day’s events. Suffice to say…imagine social media were around.
As director Brett Morgen put it, “Just about every emotion that one relates to sports took place on that day,” and that could not be more true.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Kenny Omega blasted a social media user over a remark made about Will Ospreay and Charlie Kirk.
The X user made a critique about Ospreay’s mic skills on Thursday, writing, “Will Ospreay is as bad on the mic as charlie kirk, but can’t sell the neck as well as he did.”
COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL
Kenny Omega enters the ring during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Wrestle Dynasty event at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 5, 2025. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Omega, who is friends with Ospreay inside and outside the ring, slammed the poster.
“What the f— is wrong with you? It isn’t hard to try having some class,” he wrote in response.
“A dear friend battles back from a career threatening injury, is no doubt still fighting pain today, and is somehow mocked and compared to a dude that was murdered. I get that a joke is a joke but these things should really be kept separate in my opinion.”
Kenny Omega looks on after the tag match during the Power Struggle – Super Jr. Tag League 2018 at Edion Arena Osaka on November 03, 2018 in Osaka, Japan. (Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
When one X user came to the defense of the commenter, Omega responded once more.
“Please extend my apologies, genuinely. Perhaps I’ve become too sensitive after my own brush with death. I also know of Will’s efforts behind the scenes more than most so it was sad to see such a harsh comparison,” the current AEW champion added.
Kirk, a conservative commentator and the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed during an event on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. Tyler Robinson was arrested in Kirk’s murder.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk spoke during his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk was fatally shot while appearing at the event. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Robinson’s trial is currently ongoing.
The final weekend of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, with France and England playing for third place on Saturday before defending champion Argentina takes on 2010 winner Spain for the title on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the last two matches of the 39-day, 48-team tournament in North America (all times Pacific).
Saturday’s third-place game
France vs. England
France star Kylian Mbappé smiles during a World Cup semifinal match against Spain on Tuesday.
(David Ramos / Getty Images)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
The buzz: This is a game neither team really wants to play. The disappointment of missing the final is fresh and the weather report calls for temperatures in the high 80s with 68% humidity and a chance of thundershowers — a brutal South Florida summer day. The $2-million difference in prize money between third and fourth place isn’t likely to make any of that more palatable. Still, the game will have meaning for France since it will be the final match for coach Didier Deschamps, the winningest World Cup manager in history. And captain Kylian Mbappé, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for most goals in the tournament (8), has a chance to become the first player to win consecutive Golden Boots. England is playing in the consolation final for the second time in three World Cups; it lost to Belgium 2-1 in 2018. But this one will probably sting even more since the Three Lions were five minutes away from their first final in six decades before collapsing against Argentina. This could be the last World Cup game for England’s Golden Generation of Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Jordan Henderson.
Sunday’s championship game
Spain vs. Argentina
Argentina star Lionel Messi celebrates after a win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
(Buda Mendes / Getty Images)
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
Time: Noon
TV: Fox, Telemundo | Streaming: Fox One, Peacock
The buzz: Argentina has a chance to become the first repeat World Cup champion since Brazil in 1962, which would give Messi another grand achievement in his sixth and likely final World Cup. Messi enters the weekend as the all-time leader in goals, assists and games played in tournament history. But unbeaten Argentina hasn’t made things easy, with its winning goals in the four knockout-round games coming in the 92nd minute or later. Spain, the reigning European champion, will be playing to put a second star on its jersey to match the one it won in 2010. La Roja, with the sixth-youngest roster in the World Cup, got to the final on the strength of spectacular defense led by Unai Simón, who has six clean sheets in seven games. Mikel Oyarzabal is the team’s leading scorer with five World Cup goals. The teams had one common opponent in this tournament, tiny Cape Verde, a World Cup debutante. It played Spain to a scoreless draw in its opener, then held Argentina to a 1-1 standoff into extra time before falling.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
One of the most memorable moments of the 2026 Winter Olympics came early, when skier Lindsey Vonn delivered a gutsy performance for the ages by competing at 41 just a week after injuring her knee in a crash.
Unfortunately, as admirable as her perseverance was, she injured herself badly in another crash just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill final.
Five months later, Vonn is still very much dealing with her injuries.
MARCELLO HERNÁNDEZ ROASTS JAKE PAUL, TIGER WOODS AND BILL BELICHICK IN ESPYS MONOLOGUE
Lindsey Vonn speaks on stage during the 2026 ESPYs. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
“It’s been a very slow process,” Vonn told People while attending the ESPYs Wednesday in New York City. “It’s been five months since I’ve been able to actually go to the gym in a somewhat meaningful way. And walking is actually still really hard for me. My ankle is still broken.”
Regardless of the outcome, her decision to attempt that run remains one of the most courageous moments of the Games.
Lindsey Vonn was involved in a serious crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Remember when I mentioned that injury before the Olympics? That wasn’t just a minor bump in the road; it was a completely ruptured ACL.
There was no questioning her courage, but the aftermath has been difficult.
Lindsey Vonn walks through pit lane ahead of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)
“I was in a wheelchair for so long. I was on crutches for so long,” Vonn said. “It was honestly almost 3½ months that I was unable to walk unassisted. I got very emotional when I was able to walk on my own.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
This week, Vonn posted an update on her recovery and said she has “a very long road ahead.”
-
Rhode Island4 minutes ago19-Year-Old Charged With Deadly Providence Pedestrian Bridge Stabbing
-
South-Carolina10 minutes agoWhen Lindsey Graham’s funeral will be in South Carolina
-
South Dakota16 minutes agoMeet Mayor Christine Erickson
-
Tennessee22 minutes agoL.L.Bean opens first Tennessee store in Franklin. See inside
-
Texas28 minutes agoTexas Rangers Homestand Information for July 20-27, 2026
-
Utah34 minutes agoHere’s who will lead Utah Valley University as its next president
-
Vermont40 minutes agoCommunity Profile by Gordon Hayward: NYC bargeman drawn to rural life in Vermont
-
Virginia46 minutes agoEvents canceled due to unhealthy air quality in central Virginia
