Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) - Should O.J. Simpson be a part of the Family Circle attraction that serves as one of the gateways into the new Highmark Stadium?
To former Buffalo Common Council member and Erie County Legislator - now an East Side community activist - Betty Jean Grant, it's a no brainer.
However, the Buffalo Bills say no.
"O.J. is a big part of the Buffalo Bills' history and will be forever," Grant said. "You can't change that."
The Bills aren't rewriting team history, but given Simpson's post-football days legal issues - including being tried, but found not guilty in the 1994 murder of his former wife, Nicole, and a friend, Ronald Goldman - the organization opted not to include any reference of Simpson in the Family Circle.
The attraction that pays homage to the team's history and such key players as Bruce Smith, Daryl Talley, Jack Kemp, Andre Reed and Jim Kelly.
After the criminal trial ended in October 1995 and with Simpson being acquitted, he was found liable in a civil wrongful death verdict in February 1997.
Simpson was arrested in 2007 for stealing sports memorabilia, at gun point, and in 2008 was sentenced to 33 years in jail. Simpson made parole after nine years in 2017.
Simpson died in 2024, suffering from cancer. He was 76.
"His name was never taken off the wall during any of the three trials," Grant said.
Grant has collected nearly 5,000 signatures asking team owner Terry Pegula to include Simpson in the Family Circle.
The Bills declined to comment.
Grant noted Simpson's name remained on team's Wall of Fame in old Highmark Stadium.
Simpson was the first Buffalo Bill player to be named to the Wall of Fame. That happened in 1980
Simpson was also the first Buffalo Bill to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and that happened in 1985.
"His name was on the wall for 46 years and now, it's gone," Grant said.
Drafted by the Bills - first overall - in 1969, Simpson set an NFL record by rushing for 2003 yards in a 14 game season in 1973. He was the first NFL running back to surpass the 2,000 yard mark in one season.
The Bills traded Simpson to the San Francisco 49ers after the `1977 season and one of the draft picks they received ultimately turned into the team selecting Jim Kelly in the 1983 draft.
Grant said the exclusion of Simpson from the Family Circle has become a sore subject and talking point among East Side residents.
" People are very upset," Grant said.
East Side activist and former lawmaker Betty Jean Grant is pushing the Bills to include Simpson in the team's Family Circle at the new stadium
East Side activist and former lawmaker Betty Jean Grant is pushing the Bills to include Simpson in the team's Family Circle at the new stadium
