A Day in Sports Infamy: June 17, 1994
Thirty years ago today stands as one of the most unforgettable and infamous days in sports history. It was a day brimming with notable events and significant milestones, but they were all overshadowed by the late O.J. Simpson and his white Ford Bronco.
On Friday, June 17, 1994, the sports world witnessed moments of great celebration and historic achievements. Arnold Palmer teed up for his final U.S. Open round, the Los Angeles police brought Simpson into custody following a two-hour, low-speed car pursuit, New York City erupted in championship fever, the first World Cup on U.S. soil began, and Ken Griffey Jr. achieved a feat previously accomplished only by Babe Ruth.
However, the dark discussion about the murder charges filed against Simpson connected all these events, creating an eerie and unforgettable day in sports history.
9:07 a.m. | Arnold Palmer Tees Off at His Final U.S. Open Round
Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer received an exemption from the USGA to play at Oakmont, where he teed off for his final U.S. Open round. Though Palmer missed the cut at 16-over, the immense support from the crowd moved him to tears after the round. Ernie Els, at the tender age of 24, went on to win his first major, defeating Loren Roberts in a sudden-death hole.
10:17 a.m. | Rangers' Stanley Cup Parade Rolls Through New York
The New York Rangers ended their 54-year Stanley Cup drought when Mark Messier scored the decisive goal against the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7. The Rangers celebrated in grand style, parading the Cup up New York's "Canyon of Heroes," where approximately 1.5 million people packed the streets. The celebration culminated with the players receiving keys to the city from Mayor Rudy Giuliani. It's worth noting, however, that the Rangers haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1994, with memorable losses to the Los Angeles Kings in 2014 and the Florida Panthers in this year's Eastern Conference Final.
11:09 a.m. | Murder Charges Filed Against O.J. Simpson
The day took a dark turn when news broke that murder charges had been filed against O.J. Simpson, accusing him of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies had been discovered just days earlier outside Brown Simpson's house, both having been brutally stabbed to death. Simpson quickly became the prime suspect for the Los Angeles Police Department.
1:55 p.m. | LAPD Press Conference
Amidst growing tension, LAPD Commander David Gascon held a press conference announcing that authorities were searching for Simpson as he had failed to turn himself in after charges were filed.
3:00 p.m. | United States Hosts Its First World Cup Match
The opening ceremonies of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the first time the event was held in the United States, took place at Soldier Field. Oprah Winfrey introduced Diana Ross, who performed on the field before President Bill Clinton addressed the crowd. The first World Cup match on American soil saw Germany secure a 1-0 victory over Bolivia. The United States team advanced to the knockout stage but was eventually eliminated by Brazil, who won its fourth World Cup title.
8:06 p.m. | Ken Griffey Jr. Ties Babe Ruth with 30 Home Runs Before June 30
Ken Griffey Jr. had a phenomenal start to the 1994 MLB season, hitting home runs at a rate unseen since Babe Ruth. He hit a solo home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher David Cone, tying Ruth as the only players to hit 30 home runs before June 30. Unfortunately, the 1994-95 strike ended the season on August 11, leading to the cancellation of the World Series for just the second time in history. Earlier that day, MLBPA executive director Donald Fehr had met with 55 players to discuss the owners' proposal for a salary cap.
8:56 p.m. | Police Pursuit of O.J. Simpson Begins
In a moment television viewers would never forget, Simpson and Al “AC” Cowlings fled from police in a white Ford Bronco, embarking on a low-speed chase covering roughly 60 miles of California pavement. The chase was broadcast live on every news channel in America. Simpson, who had a gun in the car, was eventually persuaded by police to return home without incident. Mobs of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the chase, which ultimately ended when Simpson pulled into his driveway at 10:57 p.m.
9:00 p.m. | NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks vs. Rockets
As Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks was underway, NBC briefly preempted the game to provide updates on Simpson's whereabouts, showing the police chase in the main picture. Despite the distractions, the Knicks pulled off a 91-84 win behind Patrick Ewing's 25 points. Though Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon led all scorers with 27 points, the Knicks went on to lose Games 6 and 7 in Houston. The Rockets then swept the Orlando Magic the following season, while New York was defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.
11:47 p.m. | LAPD Takes Simpson into Custody
After ditching his gun, Simpson got out of the Bronco, entered his home, called his mother, and drank a glass of orange juice. The LAPD subsequently took Simpson into custody, charging him with the murders of his ex-wife and Ronald Goldman. The high-profile murder trial that began in January 1995 would last until October, ultimately resulting in Simpson's acquittal. However, in a 1997 civil lawsuit, Simpson was found liable for wrongful death and battery, and was ordered to pay more than $30 million in damages. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.
Closing Thoughts
June 17, 1994, remains a day etched in the annals of sports history. It featured moments of triumph and agony, woven into the fabric of time by the unforgettable and infamous events surrounding O.J. Simpson. Through the lens of sports, it was a day that left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of fans everywhere.