Simpson Will Attend Orange Bowl

O.J. Simpson plans to root like crazy at the Orange Bowl.

“I’ll be in the stands cheering as loud as anybody for USC,” Simpson told Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday.

“I can’t wait. I always follow SC -- always have, always will,” he said.

Simpson said he hasn’t seen his alma mater play in person for about 10 years, though he has watched most of the Trojans’ games on television during that time.

But the lure of seeing No. 1 USC take on No. 2 Oklahoma for the national title tonight was too great. The Heisman Trophy winner lives about 30 miles from Pro Player Stadium.

His attorney, Yale Galanter, monitored the telephone call and wouldn’t allow Simpson to say where he’ll be sitting inside the stadium.

Simpson played for USC in 1967 and ‘68, winning the Heisman his senior season. He then went on to become one of the best running backs in NFL history, mostly with the Buffalo Bills. After that, he was an actor, television football commentator and pitchman for Hertz.

Simpson was tried and acquitted of murder after the June 1994 slayings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman in Brentwood.

Simpson was found liable for the deaths in a later civil trial and ordered to pay $33.5 million to the families of the victims.

Simpson did not attend any of the Trojans’ practices. Two years ago, he dropped by a USC workout before the Orange Bowl against Iowa and was warmly received by players -- but the school later was criticized for allowing the visit.

Simpson said he was surprised USC was favored in this game because the Sooners have more experience. Yet he thought a freshman, Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson, could make a huge difference.

“He’s the one player who’s probably going to have the greatest impact on the game,” Simpson said. “You can be in the perfect defense and it doesn’t matter, he’ll make an adjustment, he’ll make a move and he’ll score. He’s the type of athlete that you can’t defend. He scares me to death.”