O.J. Simpsons Death from Prostate Cancer: a Reminder of Black Men’s High Risk [Video]

O.J. Simpson died at age 76 on April 10 following a prostate cancer diagnosis. His death came less than a month after legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., who was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, died at age 87. Their deaths are a stark reminder that Black men have a heightened risk for not only being diagnosed with the disease, but also dying from it.

In a statement announcing his death, Simpson’s family said that “our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer.”

While they did not name the specific kind of cancer, the late actor and football star’s prostate cancer diagnosis became public about two months before his death, according to USA Today.

And, according to a statement released by Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter following Simpson’s death, the former football star had received chemotherapy treatment before he died, CNN and USA Today reported.