Prior to his well-publicized fall from grace, O.J. Simpson was revered not only for his prowess out on the football field but for his electric personality amongst the Hollywood jet set. Born in San Francisco, Simpson earned a football scholarship to play at USC for the powerful Trojans. Not only did he excel in his role as running back for the Trojans, he racked up awards and accolades galore including the prestigious Heisman Trophy during his senior season of 1968. This lot features a pair of collegiate award certificates Simpson earned during his two-year stint at USC.
The first award is Simpson’s United Press International (UPI) All-America Football Team certificate from 1967 when he led the nation in rushing 1,543 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. The matted certificate measures 14” wide by 11” high and includes the UPI raised gold seal as well as the signature of then-UPI Sports Editor John G. Griffin.
The second award is a larger (20” wide by 16” high) certificate honoring Simpson’s inclusion on the 1968 Kodak All-America Football Team. Selected by the American Football Coaches Association, Simpson was named “in recognition of his qualities of athletic excellence, self-discipline, team loyalty, and sportsmanship…” Boasting the prestigious raised gold stamp of Walter Camp, the certificate was signed by both Murray Warmath, President of the American Football Coaches Association, as well as the vice president of the Eastman Kodak Company.
Letter of Provenance from Newport Sports Museum. The founder of the museum, John Hamilton, is a fellow USC alum and chairman of the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. Hamilton himself was enshrined in 2015 for his role in developing the USC Hall of Fame in 1994 and his many charitable endeavors, including the museum.