OJ Simpson ‘really not feeling well’ less than 2 weeks before he died: friend

Sports

from Eileen Reslen

OJ Simpson’s health took a turn for the worse a week and a half before he died of cancer, forcing him to cancel a previously scheduled event, according to an old friend of the controversial former NFL player.

Bruce Fromong told People Saturday that Simpson had been hired to sign for the owner of the PSA-JSA memorabilia company, but had to back out of the engagement due to his condition.

The retired NFL star is reportedly hopeful he’ll be on the mend soon, but isn’t ready to check out the signing just yet.

“No … just give me some time,” Simpson allegedly told Fromong when asked to reschedule his plans. “Make me feel better.”

“It meant he really wasn’t feeling well,” the memorabilia dealer added, before pointing out that he initially thought the former athlete was just battling something minor like “a cold or the flu.”

“We thought he was getting better, but he wasn’t,” added the longtime friend.

Fromong said Simpson’s appearance was also deceiving because he “looked good” when he saw him at Aliante Golf Club a few months ago.

In February, the father-of-five also looked lively and in good spirits during an outing in Las Vegas, where he reportedly ditched his cane to stroll around Sin City.

However, when Fromong reached out to Simpson one last time on Tuesday with a text that read, “Hi old friend, hope you’re feeling better and we’ll talk soon,” he didn’t hear back.

Simpson died a day later at age 76 of prostate cancer. His family said in a statement Thursday: “On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, passed away after his battle with cancer.

“He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During this time of transition, his family asks that you respect their wishes for privacy and grace.

---

For more Page Six you love…

---

Simpson’s death has drawn mixed reactions — including a scathing message from Caitlyn Jenner — given his role in the infamous murder trial of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson.

For his part, Fromong was more sympathetic to the loss — even though he had his own complicated relationship with OJ.

The author of If I Did It: Confessions of a Murderer once robbed a souvenir dealer in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2007 and had to serve nine years in prison for his crimes.

However, Fromong previously advocated for OJ’s early release and told People Saturday that he will “absolutely” miss his old friend.

“This is the end of a long friendship,” he told the publication. “I will always be a friend who will think of him.”