O.J. Simpson’s long lost Heisman Trophy has finally made its way back to USC.
The trophy, which Simpson – a star running back for the Trojans – won in 1968, was returned to the school on Wednesday after an Apple Valley, Calif., man was sentenced to three years’ probation in connection to the theft of the trophy.
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Lewis Eugene Starks Jr., 57, pleaded no contest to one count of receiving stolen property. He was accused of possessing the university’s copy of the trophy and a plaque, both of which were stolen from USC’s Heritage Hall more than two decades ago, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Starks pleaded not guilty to the felony count in September 2015, but changed his plea to no contest on June 30. He was sentenced the same day.
The trophy and plaque, which were held by the district attorney’s office and LAPD during the case, were returned to the university on Wednesday.
When reached by the L.A. Times, USC sports information director Tim Tessalone confirmed the university was in possession of the trophy, as well as the plaque it was stolen with. Tessalone said the school hasn’t decided if the trophy will be displayed.
The trophy, a duplicate version given to the school (not the trophy Simpson himself received), was disassembled in three pieces when initially recovered in December 2014. The whereabouts of Simpson’s version of the trophy have a more colorful story behind it.
Simpson rushed for 1,880 yards and 23 touchdowns the year he won the Heisman. He was the No. 1 overall pick of the Buffalo Bills in the NFL draft the following year.
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In 1995, Simpson was found not guilty for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman. However, two years later, Simpson was found liable for their deaths in civil court.
Simpson has been incarcerated since 2008 following an armed robbery and kidnapping conviction in Nevada.
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
