The link between O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson predates the time the “Thriller” artist invited Simpson and his kids to Neverland Ranch. According to the former Buffalo Bills star, he lived near the Jackson compound and his children became friends with Jermaine Jackson’s children. “I’ve known the family for many many years. Michael’s always been into his dancing and music,” Simpson said in a 2007 interview with MN1.
During that interview, Simpson said he originally reached out to Jermaine in 1995 and that was who contacted Michael about the Simpsons visiting Neverland Ranch. “I’m still very good friends with Jermaine Jackson,” the “Naked Gun” actor added. Jermaine even attended Nicole Brown’s funeral in 1994.
A decade after Michael opened up his estate to Simpson, the two also connected at the funeral of Johnnie Cochran in 2005. The singer and football player were clients of the famed lawyer. “O.J. Simpson owes Johnnie Cochran a life! Michael Jackson owes Johnnie Cochran a life back from that 1993 case that was settled,” Rikki Klieman, a friend of Cochran, told CBS after seeing the pair at the funeral.
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Simpson spoke about his relationship with Michael shortly afterward. “I talk to his brother a lot, sent [Michael] a couple of messages, and of course [I saw him] at Johnnie’s funeral,” he told ESPN in 2005.
In addition to those connections, Simpson and Michael started a charity together.
