O. J. Simpson, a two-time All-America from the University of Southern California and the 1968 Heisman Trophy winner, was one of history's most heralded rookies when the Buffalo Bills selected him as the No. 1 player in the entire 1969 draft. His career record for 11 seasons, the first nine in Buffalo and the 1978 and 1979 campaigns in San Francisco, confirms the rave notices were well founded. He rushed for 11,236 yards, added 2,142 yards on 203 pass receptions, returned 33 kickoffs 990 yards for a superb 30-yard average, and amassed 14,368 combined net yards. He scored 456 points on 76 touchdowns.
Simpson immediately responded with massive ground-gaining performances. O.J. may be best remembered for his sensational 1973 season when he became the first back in history to rush for over 2,000 yards. With 219 yards in the next-to-last game against New England and a 200-yard output in the finale with the New York Jets, Simpson totaled 2,003 yards, tops for a 14-game season. In various selections, he was named NFL Player of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1975. He was both All-AFC and All-Pro five straight years from 1972 through 1976. He played in six Pro Bowls, winning Player of the Game honors in the 1973 game. He is a member of the Pro and College Football Hall of Fame.
Offered is an intriguing October 1973 Hickok Award honoring O.J. Simpson as "Professional Athlete of the Month." From 1950-1976, the Hickok Belt was awarded annually to a professional athlete based on their season's performance. A professional athlete was honored monthly and a belt was presented to a selected athlete at season's end. "Juice" was an easy choice for this award after his record-setting 1973 campaign. This handsome gilt plaque measures approximately 8" by 6" and displays only modest abrasions and surface contusions. Interestingly, this award originated from a 1999 Butterfield & Butterfield civil suit auction with proceeds benefiting Nicole Brown-Simpson's estate. This piece of Americana still has its auction label affixed to the reverse.