When we talk about the oj simpson heisman trophy, most people think about the trial of the century. They think about the white Bronco. They think about the gloves that didn't fit. But before the courtrooms and the prison time, there was 1968. That year, O.J. Simpson didn’t just win the Heisman; he absolutely crushed the competition. He won by 1,750 points, which was the largest margin in the history of the award at that time.
Honestly, the story of this specific piece of bronze is weirder than the trial itself. It’s a tale involving secret sales, a burglary at USC, and a guy who spent years sleeping under streetlamps while clutching the trophy like a teddy bear. Seriously.
The 1968 Season: Why the Trophy Exists
You've got to understand how dominant O.J. was at USC. In his 1968 senior season, he rushed for 1,709 yards and 22 touchdowns. Those numbers are basically video game stats for that era. He led the Trojans to a 9-0-1 record and secured his place as a legend.
When you win the Heisman, you don't just get one trophy. There are actually two. One goes to the player, and a duplicate goes to the school. For decades, "Trophy No. 1" sat in Simpson's home at Rockingham, while "Trophy No. 2" lived in a glass case at USC’s Heritage Hall.
Everything changed on June 12, 1994.
The Heisman That Went Missing (The USC Theft)
While the world was watching the slow-speed chase in the Bronco, someone was eyeing the trophy at USC. On July 28, 1994—right in the middle of the murder trial chaos—thieves unscrewed the plexiglass at Heritage Hall. They walked out with Simpson's jersey and the school's copy of the Heisman.
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The theft went unsolved for twenty years.
Enter a guy named Lewis Eugene Starks Jr. He ended up with the trophy and, for two decades, he treated it like a burden. He reportedly took the nameplate off so it couldn't be traced if his parole officer searched his place. When he was homeless, he carried the 45-pound bronze statue around in a bag. He eventually tried to sell it back to USC for a "finder's fee," which... didn't go well. The LAPD recovered it in 2014, and Starks got three years of probation.
What Happened to O.J.’s Personal Heisman?
The "Rockingham" trophy had a very different fate. After Simpson was acquitted in the criminal trial, he lost the 1997 civil suit. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million to the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.
He didn't have the cash. So, the court started seizing his stuff.
In February 1999, the oj simpson heisman trophy went to the auction block. It was a circus. People expected it to go for millions, but the association with the murders had tanked its value. It eventually sold for $230,000 ($255,500 including the buyer's premium).
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The buyer was Tom Kriessman, a sheet-metal wholesaler from Philadelphia. He didn't put it on a pedestal. He didn't brag. He basically threw it in a bank vault and left it there for nearly twenty years.
Where Is the OJ Simpson Heisman Trophy Now?
If you're looking for it today, you won't find it in a museum. In 2018, Kriessman sold it in a secret deal. The current owner is Rick Reviglio, a construction wholesale boss in Reno, Nevada.
Reviglio calls the trophy his "white whale." He owns a massive collection of sports history, including Bobby Knight’s "thrown chair" and a stick from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" game. He has gone on record saying he has zero interest in selling it. He wants his "children’s children" to own it.
Why the Price Was "Low"
Compared to other Heismans, O.J.'s sold for peanuts. For context:
- Rashaan Salaam’s Heisman: Sold for nearly $400,000.
- Bruce Smith’s Heisman: Sold for over $395,000.
The $230,000 price tag for O.J.’s trophy was a reflection of the "blood money" stigma. Many collectors didn't want it in their homes. Even the Goldmans' lawyer, Gary Caris, said the auction proceeds barely "put a scratch" in the millions Simpson still owed.
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The Legal Side of the Statue
There’s a common misconception that the Heisman Trust can just "take back" a trophy. They can’t. While the Trust did make winners after 1999 sign an agreement saying they wouldn't sell their trophies, O.J. won his in 1968. He owned it outright.
That’s why the court could take it. It was a piece of property, no different than a car or a house.
Today, with O.J. Simpson's passing in 2024, the interest in his memorabilia has spiked again. His estate still owes over $100 million to the families due to decades of interest. While the Heisman is long gone, other items like his 1970s credit cards and even a signed dance recital program have been auctioned off to satisfy the debt.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
The oj simpson heisman trophy is more than just a sports award; it's a 45-pound symbol of a fall from grace. It went from the pinnacle of college football to a storage unit in Philly, and finally to a private collection in Reno.
If you're interested in the history of sports memorabilia or the legalities of high-profile auctions, here is how you can track this stuff:
- Check Auction Archives: Sites like SCP Auctions often list the sale history of famous trophies.
- Visit Heritage Hall: If you want to see a version of the trophy, USC occasionally displays the recovered replica (the one that was buried in a backyard).
- Follow the Estate: Keep an eye on filings from the Clark County (Nevada) court regarding the Simpson estate if you're curious about where the rest of his "lost" memorabilia ends up.
The original 1968 statue remains in Nevada, likely never to be seen by the public again. It's a closed chapter on one of the most complicated legacies in American history.