The 2024 BET Awards sparked significant controversy, not for who was omitted from the In Memoriam segment, but rather for who was included.
During Sunday’s ceremony, the segment, which pays tribute to notable figures who have passed away over the last year, featured O.J. Simpson, identified onscreen simply as a “former NFL player.”
This inclusion raised eyebrows and ignited discussions across social media, considering Simpson’s divisive past.
O.J. Simpson’s presence in the segment was particularly startling due to his controversial legal history. He was famously acquitted in the 1994 murder case of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman but was later convicted for armed robbery. His inclusion in a segment that actress Tia Mowry introduced as a celebration of “the Black excellence we unfortunately lost this year” seemed out of sync with the broader message.
Mowry highlighted the segment as a time to honor those “who influence us” and who have “changed how our artistry is seen and left us with a legacy that we will always remember.”
The reaction on social media was swift and varied. One post on X exclaimed, “lol OJ Simpson in memoriam for anything is WILD no matter how you slice it,” gathering over 2,500 likes.
Others expressed their surprise and confusion through memes and comments, while one viewer noted the awkward audience response when Simpson appeared on screen—mixing silence with scattered applause.
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This incident also reminded some of a joke by comedy writer Jim Downey, which he shared on Conan O’Brien’s podcast. Downey humorously pretended to recognize controversial figures only by their professional titles, not their notoriety.
Similarly, some users on X joked, “I’m talking about OJ Simpson the NFL Running Back?” alongside screenshots of Downey’s bit, highlighting the complexity of Simpson’s public persona.
O.J. Simpson passed away in April at the age of 76 after a battle with prostate cancer.
Alongside him, other distinguished figures like Willie Mays, Richard Roundtree, Ron Cephas Jones, Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, and Bill Cobbs were honored in the In Memoriam tribute, all of whom left indelible marks in their respective fields.
The ceremony also featured other notable moments, including a performance by Will Smith of his new song “You Can Make It,” and an awarding of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Usher.
Technical issues during Usher’s acceptance speech, where the audio intermittently dropped out, further fueled discussions online about the event’s overall management. One viewer’s post summed up the night’s mixed reactions: “So BET can mute whatever the hell Usher said but can add OJ to the in memoriam?? #BETAwards Please explain your morals!”
This blend of responses underscores the complex dynamics and viewer expectations at such high-profile events.
