Statements
Thirty years ago today, one of the most unforgettable and infamous days in sports history unfolded. This day, June 17, 1994, was brimming with notable sports events, featuring moments of great celebration involving iconic sports figures, yet overshadowed by the late O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
The day was marked by celebrations and achievements: Arnold Palmer teed up for his final U.S. Open round, the Los Angeles police brought Simpson into custody following a two-hour, low-speed car pursuit, New York City basked in championship fever, the first World Cup on U.S. soil began, and Ken Griffey Jr. achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Babe Ruth. However, the dark discussion surrounding the murder charges filed against Simpson intertwined these events, casting a long shadow over the day's celebrations.
Simpson, having transformed his gridiron accomplishments into a successful career as an actor, football analyst, and commercial pitchman, found himself at the center of a storm that would captivate the nation.
9:07 a.m. | Arnold Palmer Tees Off at Final U.S. Open Round
Arnold Palmer, having received an exemption from the USGA to play at Oakmont, teed off for his final U.S. Open round. Though Palmer missed the cut at 16-over, the crowd's immense support brought him to tears after the round. At just 24 years old, Ernie Els won his first major, defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death hole.
10:17 a.m. | Rangers' Stanley Cup Parade Rolls Through New York
Celebration filled the streets of New York as the Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought. Mark Messier scored the decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7. The team paraded the Cup up New York's "Canyon of Heroes," with an estimated 1.5 million people crowding the streets. The festivities concluded with the players receiving keys to the city from Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Unfortunately, this marked the last Stanley Cup victory for the Rangers, who faced further disappointment in subsequent seasons.
11:09 a.m. | Murder Charges Filed Against O.J. Simpson
News broke that murder charges had been filed against O.J. Simpson, accusing him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies were discovered days earlier outside Brown Simpson's house, both having been brutally stabbed to death. Simpson quickly became the Los Angeles Police Department's prime suspect.
1:55 p.m. | LAPD Press Conference
LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference to announce that authorities were searching for Simpson, who had not turned himself in after charges were filed.
3:00 p.m. | United States Hosts Its First World Cup Match
The 1994 FIFA World Cup marked the first time the event was held in the United States. The opening ceremonies at Soldier Field featured Oprah Winfrey introducing Diana Ross, who performed before President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd. The first World Cup match on American soil saw Germany secure a 1-0 victory over Bolivia. The United States advanced to the knockout stage but was eliminated by Brazil, who went on to win their fourth World Cup title.
8:06 p.m. | Ken Griffey Jr. Ties Babe Ruth with 30 Home Runs Before June 30
Ken Griffey Jr. had a phenomenal start to the 1994 MLB season, hitting home runs at a rate not seen since Babe Ruth. Griffey tied Ruth as the only players to hit 30 home runs before June 30 with a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone. However, the 1994-95 strike ended the season on August 11, leading to the cancellation of the World Series for just the second time in history.
8:56 p.m. | Police Pursuit of O.J. Simpson Begins
Simpson and Al “AC” Cowlings fled from police in a white Ford Bronco, embarking on a low-speed chase that lasted a couple of hours and covered roughly 60 miles of California pavement. The chase, broadcast live on every news channel in America, ended when Simpson, armed with a gun, was talked down by the police. Mobs of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the chase, which concluded when Simpson pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m.
9:00 p.m. | NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks vs. Rockets
Amid the chaos, Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks was underway. NBC preempted the game briefly to provide updates on Simpson's whereabouts, airing the police chase in the main picture. Despite the distraction, the Knicks secured a 91-84 win behind Patrick Ewing's 25 points. Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points. The Knicks, however, eventually fell to the Rockets in Games 6 and 7, while Houston went on to sweep the Orlando Magic the following season.
11:47 p.m. | LAPD Takes Simpson into Custody
After ditching his gun, Simpson entered his home, called his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice before being taken into custody by the LAPD. He was charged with the murders of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. The high-profile murder trial began in January 1995 and lasted until October, ending in Simpson's acquittal. However, a 1997 civil lawsuit found Simpson liable for wrongful death and battery, ordering him to pay more than $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76, after 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."