As I’m writing these words, it is the evening of June 17, 2025.
Do you remember exactly where you were 31 years ago, on June 17, 1994? I know where I was, because that’s the day of the infamous OJ Simpson ‘slow chase’ in the white Ford Bronco.
In case you are hazy on that event of three decades ago, authorities wanted to talk to OJ about the stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.
Maybe I should help you remember that OJ Simpson was a former record-setting running back with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL following an incredible college career at Southern Cal.
Anyway, OJ was supposed to turn himself to police in connection with the deaths in earlier in the day.
But late that afternoon he ended up in the Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. Police suspected he was in that vehicle because he hadn’t shown up and Cowlings was his friend.
Strangely, though, Cowlings actually called police from the car and told them that OJ was in the back seat with a gun threatening suicide. Dozens of police cars pursued on an LA freeway, chasing at the breakneck speed of approximately 45 mph.
People lined freeway overpasses to wave and cheer OJ on.
The ordeal ended after 90 minutes when Cowling drove the Bronco back to OJ’s house, and OJ eventually gave himself up.
Here’s a link to an LA Times story on how it all went down.
So, why is that such a vivid memory for me?
Well, my wife and I were in St. Louis on June 17. We went to a St. Loius Cardinals’ game that evening and got back to our hotel about 10 pm, dripping in sweat from a hot, humid night at the ballpark.
We were wiped out, ready for a shower and lights out. But we got pulled into the OJ chase when we clicked the television on.
Each of us was mesmerized, our eyes glued to the screen as the car drove along the freeway and eventually to OJ’s house, all broadcast nationwide on live TV.
Before that night, we had kept track of developments in Nicole Simpson’s murder and knew that OJ was allegedly in Chicago at the time, but a suspect.
Paula and I had discussed the case earlier in the day and we hoped that OJ had nothing to do with it because he seemed like such a likable person.
I can no longer remember who the Cardinals played that night.
But I can still see that white Ford Bronco slowly driving down an LA freeway with dozens of police cars giving chase.
It was memory that can’t be erased.
BONUS CONTENT: I looked it up and the Cardinals lost 7-4 that night to the Pirates. Game time temperature was 90. Humidity 110 percent (writer’s embellishment).
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I remember that evening well. I was at an honors seminar in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A really large group of college students from across the country all had our eyes glued to TV screens in an Irish pub.
Thanks for sharing these memories, Paula.
I was watching it from a bar outside Boston after my nephew‘s four year old birthday party… Unbelievable!… Then I remember standing in the conference room at Little Brown in back bay where I worked when he was pronounced innocent… I remember exhaling for him because it was such a big charge, but knowing even then that he was guilty… I can’t believe he went onto mess up his life after getting such a bye.