O.J. Simpson is not welcome at his alma mater, says USC head coach Clay Helton.
According to the USC football team’s head coach, O.J. Simpson won’t be welcomed back to the program. Coach Clay Helton says that the school wishes to distance itself from the former Heisman Trophy winner.
“Right now what the administration and the athletic department have said is, no, OJ will not be a part of our functions,” Helton stated on Thursday during Pac-12 Media Days.
This statement stays in line with USC’s comments ever since the double-murder trial of Simpson in 1994. Although, the USC legend was welcomed to a practice 10 years after his acquittal by Pete Carroll, who was then the head coach of the Trojans football team. This was a few years before his conviction for armed robbery, as well.
Simpson is one of the most illustrious players in USC football history, as he was a unanimous two-time All-American. Additionally, he led the team to a national championship in 1967 and won the Heisman Trophy for his efforts in 1968.
However, his football career has not been what has kept him in the news recently. Simpson will soon be free.
Simpson was granted parole and could be released as early as October 1. He was in jail for a conviction of felony armed robbery from 2007. This comes in the full swing of college football season, but he will not be involved with the team, as Helton made clear.
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When asked if he would be cordial with Simpson, Helton said, “I’m cordial to every person that I’ve ever met.” However, he made clear that watching a practice is too much for the convicted felon.