It is basically impossible to talk about the history of American sports without running into the "Juice." Long before the white Bronco or the "Trial of the Century," there was a guy who moved across a football field like he was gliding on glass. If you're looking for O.J. Simpson highlights, you’re really looking at a masterclass in what a pure speed-and-power back looks like.
Honestly, it’s kinda surreal looking back at the grainy 1970s film. You see the Buffalo Bills’ No. 32 hitting a hole that doesn't exist. He had this way of leaning into a turn that made defenders look like they were running in work boots.
He didn't just play football; he was the first person to turn the rushing game into a high-speed chase.
The 1973 Season: 2,003 Yards of History
Let’s get the big one out of the way first. Most people know Simpson broke the 2,000-yard mark, but they forget how he did it. This wasn’t a 16-game season or the 17-game marathons we have now. He did it in 14 games. 14. Basically, he had to average over 143 yards per game just to sniff that record. To put that in perspective, if a modern player wanted to match that pace over 17 games, they’d need to rush for about 2,430 yards. Nobody has even come close to that.
The Breakdown of the Record Run
- Opening Statement: Week 1 against New England. He dropped 250 yards on 29 carries. It was a statement that the Bills were finally going to let him run.
- The Mid-Season Grind: He had games of 171 yards against Philly and 166 against Baltimore. Even when teams knew he was coming, they couldn't stop the "Electric Company"—that was the nickname for his offensive line because they "turned on the Juice."
- The Final Push: Heading into the last two weeks, he still needed over 400 yards. He got 219 against the Patriots and then, in a snowy Shea Stadium against the Jets, he ripped off 200 more.
When he crossed that 2,000-yard line on a 7-yard sweep in the fourth quarter, it wasn't just a record. It was a cultural moment. He was the first. He was the king of the NFL.
The USC Years and the "Run of the Century"
You’ve got to go back to 1967 to see where the hype started. Simpson wasn't just good at USC; he was a track star who happened to be carrying a football. He actually ran the third leg on a world-record-setting 440-yard relay team. That speed was terrifying on a football field.
The highlight everyone talks about from his college days happened against UCLA in '67. It was the "Game of the Century." USC was down, the Rose Bowl was on the line, and the national championship was hanging in the balance. Simpson took a handoff, cut back across the entire field, and went 64 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
It's the kind of play you see in movies. It basically secured him the Heisman Trophy in 1968, which he won by the largest margin in history at the time.
Why 1975 Was Actually Better
Here is something most fans get wrong. While 1973 is the famous year, a lot of football nerds argue that his 1975 season was actually more impressive.
Think about this: In '73, he was a pure runner. In '75, he became a total weapon.
- He rushed for 1,817 yards.
- He caught 28 passes for 426 yards.
- He scored a then-record 23 total touchdowns.
He was basically the prototype for the modern "do-it-all" back like Christian McCaffrey or Marshall Faulk. He was leading the league in scoring while also being the best pure runner on the planet. He had a game against the Jets that year where he scored four touchdowns. You just couldn't tackle the guy in the open field.
The Thanksgiving Day Massacre (1976)
If you want a single game highlight to watch, find the 1976 Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. It was a terrible year for the Bills, but Simpson decided to put the entire team on his back.
He rushed for 273 yards. That was a single-game record at the time. What’s wild is that the Bills actually lost that game 27-14. It’s one of the weirdest stat lines in NFL history. He was responsible for almost every yard of offense his team had, but football is a team game, and the '76 Bills were... well, they weren't great.
The Physicality of the "Juice"
One thing you don't realize until you see the old highlights is how physical he was. People remember the speed, but he was 6'1" and about 210 pounds. Back then, that was a big back. He didn't just run around people; he'd stiff-arm them into the turf.
He had this high-stepping style that made it hard for defenders to wrap up his legs. If you aimed low, he'd hurdle you. If you aimed high, he'd use that world-class speed to disappear.
Legacy on the Field
It’s hard to separate the player from the person now. We all know that. But if we’re looking strictly at O.J. Simpson highlights, we’re looking at a guy who redefined the position. Before him, running backs were mostly "three yards and a cloud of dust" guys. He turned it into a sprint.
He finished his career with 11,236 rushing yards. When he retired, he was second only to the legendary Jim Brown. He was a five-time First-team All-Pro. He was the NFL MVP.
What You Can Learn from These Highlights
If you're a student of the game or just a fan of sports history, there are a few things to take away from watching his old film:
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- Vision is everything: Notice how he starts his runs. He doesn't just sprint; he waits for the block to develop, then explodes.
- The importance of the offensive line: He always credited the "Electric Company." No back, not even one as talented as Simpson, gets 2,000 yards without a line that can move people.
- Versatility wins: His 1975 season shows that being a threat in the passing game makes you twice as hard to defend.
If you want to see these plays for yourself, your best bet is to look for "O.J. Simpson 1973 highlights" on YouTube. Specifically, look for the footage of the regular-season finale against the Jets. Even with the snow and the old-school camera angles, the speed is undeniable. You can also check out the NFL Throwback channel, which often features his 273-yard Thanksgiving performance. Just remember that while the highlights are incredible, they represent only one chapter of a very long and complicated story.