Reflecting on June 17, 1994: The Day that Shook the Sports World
Thirty years ago today, one of the most unforgettable and infamous days in sports history unraveled. A day that should have been remembered for the great celebrations and achievements of iconic sports figures was overshadowed by the late O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
Friday, June 17, 1994, was brimming with notable sports events. Arnold Palmer teed up for his final U.S. Open round. The Los Angeles police brought Simpson into custody following a two-hour, low-speed car pursuit. New York City had championship fever. The first World Cup on U.S. soil began, and Ken Griffey Jr. achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Babe Ruth. However, the dark discussion about the murder charges filed against Simpson connected all these events.
Arnold Palmer's Farewell at the U.S. Open
Arnold Palmer teed off for his final U.S. Open round, having received an exemption from the USGA to play at Oakmont. Though Palmer missed the cut at 16-over, he received immense support from the crowd and got emotional after the round. Ernie Els ultimately won his first major at the age of 24, defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death hole.
Rangers' Stanley Cup Glory
The New York Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought, with Mark Messier scoring the decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7. The Rangers paraded the Cup up New York's "Canyon of Heroes," where an estimated 1.5 million people packed the streets. The celebration concluded with the players receiving keys to the city from Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Unfortunately, the Rangers haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1994, experiencing losses against the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final to the Florida Panthers this year.
The O.J. Simpson Saga
News broke at 11:09 a.m. that murder charges had been filed against Simpson, accusing him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies were discovered just days earlier outside Brown Simpson's house, both having been brutally stabbed to death. Simpson quickly became the Los Angeles Police Department's prime suspect.
At 1:55 p.m., LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference regarding Simpson, announcing that authorities were searching for him as he had not turned himself in after charges were filed. The day took a dramatic turn when Simpson and Al “AC” Cowlings fled from police in a white Ford Bronco at 8:56 p.m., embarking on a low-speed chase that lasted a couple of hours and covered roughly 60 miles of California pavement. The chase was broadcast live on every news channel in America. Simpson, who had a gun in the car, was eventually talked down by police and returned home without incident. Mobs of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the chase, which ended when Simpson pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m. After ditching his gun, Simpson got out of the Bronco, entered his home, called his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice. The LAPD subsequently took Simpson into custody, charging him with the murders of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. The high-profile murder trial began in January 1995 and lasted until October, ultimately resulting in Simpson's acquittal. However, in a 1997 civil lawsuit, Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and battery, and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
"We spoke to Mr. [Robert] Shapiro, we expressed our dismay, and we indicated to him that we expect to see Mr. Simpson immediately, if not sooner," an LAPD official remarked at the press conference.
United States Hosts Its First World Cup Match
The 1994 FIFA World Cup marked the first time the event was held in the United States. The opening ceremonies took place at Soldier Field, where Oprah Winfrey introduced Diana Ross, who performed on the field before President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd. The first World Cup match on American soil featured Germany and Bolivia, with Germany securing a 1-0 victory. The United States advanced to the knockout stage but was eliminated by Brazil, who went on to win its fourth World Cup title.
Ken Griffey Jr.'s Historic Feat
Ken Griffey Jr. had a phenomenal start in the 1994 MLB season, hitting home runs at a rate not seen since Babe Ruth. Griffey hit a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone, tying Ruth as the only players to hit 30 home runs before June 30. Unfortunately, the 1994-95 strike ended the season on August 11, leading to the cancellation of the World Series for just the second time in history. Earlier that day, MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr met with 55 players to discuss the owners' proposal for a salary cap.
NBA Finals Drama Amidst the Chase
As Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks was underway, NBC briefly preempted the game to provide updates on Simpson's whereabouts, showing the police chase in the main picture. Despite the distractions, the Knicks pulled off a 91-84 win behind Patrick Ewing's 25 points. Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points. However, the Knicks went on to lose Games 6 and 7 in Houston, while Houston swept the Orlando Magic the following season. New York was later defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
June 17, 1994, remains a pivotal day in the annals of sports, a day where triumph was interwoven with tragedy, forever altering the landscape of sports and popular culture.