Thirty Years Ago: A Day That Changed Sports Forever
Thirty years ago today marks one of the most memorable and infamous days in sports history. What began as a day filled with celebrations of iconic sports figures quickly became overshadowed by the unfolding drama involving O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
On Friday, June 17, 1994, the sports world saw a mix of triumph and turmoil: Arnold Palmer teed off for his final U.S. Open round, the Los Angeles police apprehended Simpson following a two-hour, low-speed car pursuit, New York City basked in championship glory, the first World Cup on U.S. soil kicked off, and Ken Griffey Jr. matched a feat achieved only by Babe Ruth. However, the day’s darker undertone was inextricably linked to the murder charges filed against Simpson.
Simpson had leveraged his gridiron success into a prosperous career as an actor, football analyst, and commercial pitchman.
9:07 a.m. | Arnold Palmer's Final U.S. Open Round
At 9:07 a.m., Arnold Palmer teed off for his final U.S. Open round at Oakmont, having received an exemption from the USGA. Although Palmer missed the cut with a score of 16-over, he received enormous support from the crowd and became emotional after the round.
Ernie Els ultimately claimed his first major title at the age of 24, defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death playoff.
10:17 a.m. | The Rangers' Stanley Cup Celebration
At 10:17 a.m., the New York Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought, with Mark Messier scoring the decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7. The Rangers paraded the Cup up New York's "Canyon of Heroes," where approximately 1.5 million people packed the streets as the players received keys to the city from Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Unfortunately for Rangers fans, the team has not won a Stanley Cup since 1994, experiencing losses to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and in Game 7 of this year's Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers.
11:09 a.m. | Murder Charges Filed Against O.J. Simpson
Late in the morning, news broke that murder charges had been filed against Simpson, accusing him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies had been discovered just days earlier outside Brown Simpson's house, both brutally stabbed to death. Simpson quickly became the Los Angeles Police Department's prime suspect.
1:55 p.m. | LAPD Press Conference
In the early afternoon, LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference announcing that authorities were searching for Simpson, who had not turned himself in after charges were filed.
3:00 p.m. | U.S. Hosts Its First World Cup Match
Later that day, the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the first on U.S. soil, kicked off. The opening ceremonies at Soldier Field featured Oprah Winfrey introducing Diana Ross, who performed on the field before President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd. The first World Cup match on American soil saw Germany defeating Bolivia 1-0. The United States advanced to the knockout stage but was ultimately eliminated by Brazil, who went on to win their fourth World Cup title.
8:06 p.m. | Ken Griffey Jr. Ties Babe Ruth's Home Run Record
Ken Griffey Jr. had a phenomenal start to the 1994 MLB season, hitting home runs at a pace not seen since Babe Ruth. At 8:06 p.m., Griffey hit a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone, tying Ruth as the only two players to hit 30 home runs before June 30. However, the 1994-95 strike led to the cancellation of the season on August 11, marking only the second time in history that the World Series was canceled.
8:56 p.m. | Police Pursuit of O.J. Simpson Begins
At 8:56 p.m., Simpson and Al “AC” Cowlings fled from the police in a white Ford Bronco, initiating a low-speed chase that lasted two hours and covered about 60 miles of California roads. The pursuit was broadcast live on every news channel in America. Despite having a gun in the car, Simpson was eventually talked down by police and returned home without incident. Crowds of people lined the streets to watch the chase, which ended when Simpson pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m.
9:00 p.m. | NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks vs. Rockets
During Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks, NBC briefly interrupted the broadcast to provide updates on Simpson's whereabouts, showcasing the police chase. Despite the distractions, the Knicks won 91-84, with Patrick Ewing scoring 25 points. Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points. The Rockets went on to win the Finals, and the following season they swept the Orlando Magic.
11:47 p.m. | LAPD Takes Simpson Into Custody
At 11:47 p.m., after ditching his gun, Simpson exited the Bronco, entered his home, called his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice. Shortly thereafter, the LAPD took Simpson into custody, charging him with the murders of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. The high-profile murder trial began in January 1995 and lasted until October, ultimately resulting in Simpson's acquittal. However, in a 1997 civil lawsuit, Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and battery, and ordered to pay more than $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer.
Quotes
"We spoke to Mr. [Robert] Shapiro, we expressed our dismay, and we indicated to him that we expect to see Mr. Simpson immediately, if not sooner."