O.J. Simpson Boasts 'Made Ford Bronco Famous' in New Footage

Newly surfaced footage from the ID documentary "O.J. Unseen: Exploitation of Evil" reveals O.J. Simpson boasting, "I made the Ford Bronco famous," reigniting public debate on the late football star's controversial legacy. This revelation, highlighted in news articles on September 5, 2026, comes after Simpson's death on April 10, 2024, adding a retrospective layer to his self-aggrandizing claim about the iconic white SUV.

The infamous low-speed police chase involving O.J. Simpson in a white Ford Bronco on June 17, 1994, became an indelible moment in American history, captivating over 90 million television viewers and interrupting the NBA Finals. This new footage, central to the "O.J. Unseen: Exploitation of Evil" documentary, presents Simpson's unrepentant view of his role in the vehicle's notoriety. The 1993 Ford Bronco XLT, driven by Simpson's friend Al Cowlings with Simpson in the back, became instantly recognizable.

The actual 1993 Ford Bronco XLT, a 5.0-liter V8 model with 185 horsepower and a black leather interior, is now housed at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Its original price in the early 1990s was around $20,250. Marketing professors often cite the chase as a "shared experience" that cemented both Simpson and the Bronco into American consciousness, even for generations born decades later.

The Bronco's association with Simpson occurred as its sales were already declining, leading to its discontinuation for 25 years after the 1996 model. When Ford reintroduced the Bronco in 2021, the company faced the challenge of shedding the infamous connection. A Ford spokesperson, addressing the new Bronco's debut on O.J. Simpson's birthday, stated the "date is purely coincidental," underscoring the brand's effort to move past the 1994 shadow.

The modern Ford Bronco is positioned as a rugged competitor to vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, lauded for its "Rubicon-like crossing ability and incredible ride comfort." Despite Ford's strategic distancing, the resurfacing of Simpson's comments ensures that the cultural memory of the white Bronco chase remains a potent, if complicated, part of the vehicle's storied past. Discussions on platforms like Reddit's r/popculture and r/entertainment subreddits reflect the ongoing public fascination.