June 17, 1994: A Day of Sports Triumph and Tragedy
Thirty years ago today, an unforgettable and infamous day in sports history unfolded. It was marked by moments of great celebration featuring iconic sports figures but was ultimately overshadowed by the late O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
The Morning: Arnold Palmer's Final U.S. Open Round
The day began with golfing legend Arnold Palmer teeing off for his final U.S. Open round, having received an exemption from the USGA to play at Oakmont. Although Palmer missed the cut with a 16-over score, he received immense support from the crowd and became emotional after the round. The tournament ended with Ernie Els winning his first major at the age of 24 by defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death hole.
New York Celebrates Rangers' Stanley Cup Victory
At 10:17 a.m., celebration engulfed New York City as the Rangers paraded up the "Canyon of Heroes." The team had ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought with Mark Messier's decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7. An estimated 1.5 million people filled the streets to witness the jubilant event, which concluded with Mayor Rudy Giuliani presenting keys to the city to the players. Since that glorious moment in 1994, the Rangers have experienced much hardship, including losses against the Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Stanley Cup and a recent Game 7 defeat in the Eastern Conference Final to the Florida Panthers.
The Murders That Rocked America: O.J. Simpson Charged
Tragedy struck soon afterward at 11:09 a.m., as news broke that murder charges had been filed against O.J. Simpson. He was accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies were discovered outside Brown Simpson's house just days earlier, both having been stabbed to death. Simpson quickly became the prime suspect for the Los Angeles Police Department.
LAPD Press Conference: The Hunt for Simpson Begins
At 1:55 p.m., LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference to announce that authorities were searching for Simpson, who had not turned himself in after the charges were filed. The gravity of the accusations and the manhunt for Simpson started to capture the nation’s attention.
United States Hosts Its First World Cup Match
The focus briefly shifted back to sports at 3:00 p.m., when the 1994 FIFA World Cup began - the first time the event was held in the United States. The opening ceremonies at Soldier Field were elaborate, featuring Oprah Winfrey and a performance by Diana Ross. President Bill Clinton also addressed the crowd. The first match saw Germany secure a 1-0 victory against Bolivia. While the U.S. advanced to the knockout stage, they were ultimately eliminated by Brazil, who went on to win their fourth World Cup title.
Ken Griffey Jr. Matches Babe Ruth
As the evening approached, another moment of sporting significance took place at 8:06 p.m. when Ken Griffey Jr. tied Babe Ruth’s record by hitting 30 home runs before June 30. He achieved this feat with a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone. Unfortunately, the 1994 MLB season was later cut short by a players’ strike, which led to the cancellation of the World Series for just the second time in history.
The O.J. Simpson Police Chase
The most dramatic event of the day began at 8:56 p.m. Simpson and his friend Al “AC” Cowlings fled from police in a white Ford Bronco, setting off a low-speed chase across California's highways. The pursuit covered roughly 60 miles and was broadcast live on every news channel in America. People lined the streets in the hope of catching a glimpse of the infamous chase, which ended when Simpson arrived at his driveway at 10:57 p.m. Simpson, who had a gun in the car, was talked down by police and eventually taken into custody without incident.
NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Rockets
Amid the unfolding drama, the NBA Finals Game 5 between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks was underway. NBC briefly preempted the game to provide updates on Simpson's chase. Despite the distractions, the Knicks managed to secure a 91-84 win, led by Patrick Ewing’s 25 points. The Rockets’ Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points. However, the Knicks went on to lose Games 6 and 7 in Houston. The following season, Houston swept the Orlando Magic, while the Knicks were later defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
The Arrest: Simpson Taken into Custody
At 11:47 p.m., the day culminated with the LAPD taking Simpson into custody. After ditching his gun, Simpson entered his home, made a call to his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice before surrendering. He was charged with the murders of Brown Simpson and Goldman. Simpson's high-profile murder trial began in January 1995 and lasted until October, resulting in his acquittal. However, a 1997 civil lawsuit found Simpson liable for wrongful death and battery, ordering him to pay over $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
As the years have passed, June 17, 1994, remains etched in memory as a day when joyous sports achievements and tragic events collided, capturing the world’s attention like never before.