Tanya Brown Wants NFL to Retire O.J.'s No. 32 Jersey as 32nd Anniversary Nears

As the 32nd anniversary of one of America’s most infamous crimes approaches, Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister is making a direct plea to the NFL: retire the number that’s become inseparable from her sister’s killer.

Tanya Brown is speaking out ahead of June 12—the date Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were murdered in 1994—asking the league to bench O.J. Simpson’s iconic No. 32 jersey. The number carries weight far beyond football stats and highlight reels for those connected to the case. Every time Tanya sees it on the field, she says it pulls her back into trauma. For her, the number isn’t just a uniform designation; it’s a constant visual reminder of loss.

This isn’t a formal campaign with petitions and pressure from a massive organization. Instead, Tanya is leaning on the power of personal testimony, hoping that by speaking publicly about what the anniversary means for the victims’families, the NFL will understand the emotional gravity of the request. She’s not asking for the impossible—just recognition that some numbers carry too much pain to remain in circulation.

If the league won’t retire it entirely, Tanya has a second proposal: publicly dedicate No. 32 to Nicole and Ron, encouraging players to wear it in their memory. It’s a way to reclaim the number from the shadow it’s cast for three decades and redirect it toward honoring the victims rather than the man convicted of their murders.

Beyond the NFL, Tanya is also encouraging people to participate in candlelight vigils through the Flock of Angels Network on June 12 at 8 PM local time. The gatherings—created as a grief-support community in Nicole’s memory—will honor Nicole, Ron, and other victims of violence while giving people space to share stories and memories of loved ones they’ve lost.

The real aim here is simple but profound: when people see No. 32, Tanya wants them to think of Nicole and Ron—not O.J. Simpson.