Bills Issue O.J. Simpson's Jersey Number For First Time in Decades

The Juice is loose — and now his former number is too.

At spring workouts in Buffalo, the Bills issued O.J. Simpson’s former jersey number, 32, to a player for the first time since 1977.

Running back Senorise Perry told The Athletic he had assumed the number was retired but jumped at the chance to wear it once he was told it as available.

“I know the situation,” Perry said. “I know that greatness comes with that number, playing in Buffalo. But I’m willing to take anything that comes my way. I’m going into my sixth year, and I know what it takes to get in this league and stay here. With that number on my back, I know I’m doing well for my family.”

Simpson himself didn’t seem to care much one way or another about his former number being worn for the first time in more than four decades.

“Whatever they do is fine with me,” Simpson said. “That’s how I feel. When I played there, I tried to honor the team. Since I left, I always tried to honor the Bills. And, to be honest, it’s not something I think about. There’s too much else going on in life.”

Previously, the Bills had not issued Simpson’s number due to the obvious links it has to the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman in California in 1994.

Buffalo has also retired three numbers: Jim Kelly’s No. 12, Bruce Smith’s No. 78 and Thurman Thomas’ No. 34.

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Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”