Running back Senorise Perry is wearing jersey No. 32 during Buffalo’s organized team activities, the first player assigned the uniform number by the Bills since O.J. Simpson in 1977.
Perry, 27, signed a one-year free agent contract in March. He told The Athletic he was surprised that the disgraced Hall of Famer’s number was an option.
“I thought it was retired, but then I was told it was available. Boom, I took it,” said Perry, who has played 48 career games mostly on special teams with the Chicago Bears (2014) and Miami Dolphins (2017-18).
“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,” he said. “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.”
Simpson rushed for 10,183 yards and 57 touchdowns and won four rushing titles during a nine-year tenure with Buffalo from 1969-77.
Simpson, 71, was acquitted in 1995 for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. A jury in civil court later found him liable for wrongful death. In 2008, he was sent to prison for armed robbery and kidnapping after he tried to recover stolen memorabilia in Las Vegas. He was paroled in 2017.
Perry has returned 22 kicks for 454 yards and rushed eight times for 30 yards during his NFL career.
