Dwayne Haskins called Joe Theismann to ask for his blessing to wear No. 7 with the Redskins. Did Buffalo Bills running back Senorise Perry do the same with O.J. Simpson?
Not quite.
For the first time in 42 years, the Bills have allowed for a player to wear “No. 32,” Simpson’s old number. The club had not retired the number, but it had been unworn since.
Speaking with The Athletic, Simpson said he didn’t have a problem with it.
“Whatever they do is fine with me,” said Simpson, who was released from prison in 2017. “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.”
Simpson, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was acquitted of double murder in 1995, though was found liable in a civil suit in 1997. He was later sentenced in 2007, however, for an armed robbery incident.
With the Bills, Simpson ran for 10,183 yards in nine years. He was the first running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and won the 1973 MVP. Simpson also played two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers.
Perry, an undrafted running back who entered the league in 2014, will now wear No. 32 for the Bills. He spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins and has just 30 rushing yards on eight carries throughout his career.
“I thought it was retired,” Perry said, “but then I was told it was available. Boom, I took it.
“I know the situation. 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.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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