O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson. Heisman Trophy winner. Actor. Avis spokesperson. Double murderer. Golfer. Incarcerated.

Career Stats
College
Heisman Trophy winner at USC (winner by largest margin in history).
Led the nation in rushing in 1967 and 1968.
Number one overall pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1969.
Pro
135 games
11,236 yards
4.7 ypc
61 TD's
6 Pro Bowls in 11 seasons
Only player to ever rush for 2,000 yards in a 14-game season, and first 2,000 yard rusher in NFL history
Holds single -season record for yards-per-game average (143.1)
1985 Hall of Fame Inductee

Criminal

1989 No contest, domestic violence
1994 Double murder, found not guilty
1997 Civil wrongful death suit, unanimously found liable
1999 State of California finds Simpson owes $1.44 M in back taxes
2001 Battery and auto burglary (road rage incident), found not guilty
2004 Using electronic devices to pirate DirecTV broadcast signal, found guilty, ordered to pay $58,678
2008 12 counts of armed robbery, found guilty, sentenced to 33 years with possibility of parole in 9

Why he belongs in the Pantheon
Could there be a more spectacular fall from grace than O.J.'s? Heisman trophy winner, record-setting running back, actor/commentator/spokesperson/producer... reduced to a sick punchline in a white Ford Bronco being driven by Al Cowlings ("I'm AC, dammit!"). Anyone who has the gall to write a book called "If I Did It" has some serious, serious cahones, and perhaps some denial issue. The fact that the justice system actually did a "makeup call" with his robbery conviction says it all. He's the OG all the other athlete gangsta wanna-be's have to look up to.

Proper tribute
I like to toast him when ordering breakfast. Example: "I'll have a short stack, sausage, and a large glass of Guilty." Ah, it never gets old.

Position in the Pantheon
Due to his seniority, the horror of his crimes, the unreal media circus of the most public trial we'll likely ever see, his blatant arrogance in the face of everything, and his refusal to go quietly afterward... undoubtedly, he's The Godfather of the Pantheon. He paved the way for everyone else, and made all after him look like amatuer criminals. I'll have a vodka and guilty to go, please.