Before 1994, O.J. Simpson was famous for being an NFL star, sports broadcaster, and actor. But that year, the shocking murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman made him infamous. The trial that followed, known as the “Trial of the Century,” captured the world’s attention (source: Biography).

A Broken Childhood

O.J. Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, to Eunice and Jimmy Lee Simpson. When O.J. was just 5 years old in 1952, his parents divorced, and he grew up under the care of his mother. His mother was a significant presence in his life. In fact, he referred to her as “the best mother in the neighborhood” when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (source: Yahoo! Sports). She was even present throughout his murder trial and testified on his behalf.

O.J.’s mother passed away in 2001 from natural causes, and her death was particularly painful for him because he had been estranged from his father after their divorce.

A Distant Father

Jimmy Lee Simpson attended O.J.’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but O.J. did not publicly acknowledge him during the ceremony. O.J. later admitted his disappointment that his father had been absent during his formative years (source: Yahoo! Sports).

In a 1977 interview with Parents magazine, O.J. expressed his resentment about his father’s absence, especially when he was trying to figure out who he was during his teenage years. He mentioned that he needed guidance from a father figure but had to come to terms with his feelings over many years (source: The New York Times). One possible source of tension between them was the fact that Jimmy Lee Simpson was reportedly gay.

Revelation and Awkward Encounters

O.J. Simpson’s childhood friend, Calvin Tennyson, revealed that he and O.J. discovered Jimmy Lee’s sexual orientation by accident. According to Tennyson, during a visit to Jimmy Lee’s house, they were met by an awkward scene involving his father in a bathrobe and another man also in a bathrobe (source: Daily Mail). Tennyson and O.J. eventually found humor in the situation, but it was apparent that Jimmy was gay.

O.J.’s friend, Joe Bell, was also informed of Jimmy’s sexuality, but it was a subject he was uncomfortable discussing. At the time, being an African-American man who was homosexual was widely frowned upon (source: Daily Mail).

The Rumors of Drag Queen Performances

During the media frenzy surrounding O.J. Simpson’s criminal trial, a book titled “The Lies of O.J. Simpson” contained information about Jimmy Lee Simpson. It included an account from an unnamed source who confirmed that Jimmy Lee was gay and known in the neighborhood as a drag queen, which some referred to as “Mama Simpson” (source: Bustle).

Another book by Jeffrey Toobin, titled “The Run of his Life,” also supported the claim that Jimmy Lee was openly gay and an active member of San Francisco’s drag community (source: Bustle).

The Unclear Cause of Death

Jimmy Lee Simpson passed away in 1986, and his obituary stated that he died of cancer after working at San Francisco’s Federal Reserve for 35 years. However, Jeffrey Toobin’s book suggested that Jimmy actually died from complications related to AIDS. The duration of his employment at the Federal Reserve remains uncertain, with some sources claiming he was only a custodian and worked there briefly (source: Bustle).

O.J. Simpson has never publicly discussed the rumors about his father’s sexuality. However, reports have indicated that he expressed disapproval of homosexuality in the past, although in recent years, he voiced support for openly gay football player Carl Nassib (source: Insider).

The story of O.J. Simpson’s life is one of complex relationships and deep-seated feelings, not just about his father but also about a past he rarely discussed.