Where were you?
Certain moments you just don’t forget. Those “like it was yesterday” type memories where you can recall the logo on your shirt, the smell in the air, and your exact reaction when you heard the news.
OJ Simpson feeling from police officers in a White Ford Bronco is one of those moments.
The breaking news that captivated Americans everywhere, seemingly pausing all other events – including the NBA Finals – took place 25 years ago today.
We all know what followed. The verdict, the TV series, countless documentaries, the book, podcasts galore and now a Twitter account. Right or wrong, OJ Simpson and his trial for murder is one of the most covered events in American history.
Listen below to hear what WCCO Radio’s coverage of June 17, 1994.
They weren’t on the air for WCCO quite yet, but a few of our hosts also recalled their experiences and recollections watching the infamous slow speed chase.
“It was the summer before I started 7th grade. I remember being at my cousin's cabin on Little Pine Lake. All of a sudden some of my family members came rushing outside, calling us to come inside to watch TV. Being young, I remember trying to understand exactly what was going on; it was a "chase" and I couldn't figure out why the cops weren't pulling him over. I also had known OJ as a former NFL star, TV analyst, in movies and commercials, and I didn't want to believe he could be guilty.”
It was 1994 and I was working at my first job in television after I graduated from Syracuse. I was a PA (production assistant) at Fox 5 in New York City. I remember being in the control room where all of the screens had the white bronco on them. It was near silent as everybody was glued to the screens is in disbelief of what we were seeing. Every few minutes you could hear the director say quietly, “stay with it, just stay with it” and the only other sound was someone muttering “oh my God” Or “I can’t believe this” every now and then.