Family Balks at Donating O.J. Simpson’s Brain for Research

Scientists have asked for O.J. Simpson’s brain to be donated for research into a disease that affects former football players, but his family plans to cremate his whole body, the executor of his estate told the New York Post. “With O.J. everything’s wild, but I’ve been getting calls from medical centers that are doing CTE testing asking me for O.J.’s brain... that is not happening,” attorney Malcolm LaVergne said. Simpson, who died at age 76 this week, played football in high school and college and a decade in the NFL. A growing number of ex-athletes have been diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative condition that is linked to emotional problems and violent behavior. LaVergne said that Simpson’s final wishes were that his cremains be given to his children, who will decide what to do with them. “That’s what O.J. wanted. Those are O.J.’s wishes, and that’s what the kids are telling me,” he said. “Right now there’s no specific plans for a funeral service. There is however a possibility that there will be a celebration of life-type service at a later date and time which will be limited to Mr. Simpson’s close circle of friends and family.”