The family of O.J. Simpson has declined requests from scientists to donate his brain for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) research, according to a family spokesperson. The former NFL player and convicted killer, who passed away at the age of 76 on Wednesday, will be cremated in Las Vegas on Tuesday, as confirmed by a representative of his estate.

There have been repeated appeals for Simpson’s brain to be studied, given the potential link between his football career and aggressive behavior. However, the family has firmly refused, stating “hard no.” Simpson’s attorney and executor, Malcolm LaVergne, confirmed that all the necessary arrangements for the cremation have been finalized.

The body of the former NFL player and convicted killer is set to be cremated in Las Vegas, with the necessary paperwork already completed.

CTE, a degenerative brain disease, can only be diagnosed posthumously. It has been associated with memory loss, depression, anxiety, impaired judgment, and notably, aggressive behavior. As awareness of CTE has grown, many football players have consented to brain donations for research after their passing.

Simpson’s football career spanned 11 NFL seasons, predominantly with the Buffalo Bills, where he earned the nickname “The Juice.” He achieved remarkable success, winning four NFL rushing titles and amassing 11,236 rushing yards, 76 touchdowns, and five Pro Bowl appearances. His most impressive season was in 1973 when he rushed for 2,003 yards, becoming the first running back to surpass the 2,000-yard mark.

However, Simpson’s life took a tragic turn in June 1994 when his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, were brutally slain in Los Angeles. The highly publicized trial that followed culminated in Simpson’s acquittal for the murders in 1995. Nonetheless, a separate civil trial in 1997 found him liable for the deaths and ordered him to pay $33.5 million in damages to the families of the victims.

In 2007, Simpson made headlines again when he led a group of men, two of whom were armed, into a confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. He was subsequently convicted of armed robbery and other felonies, resulting in a nine-year prison sentence.

Following Simpson’s death, social media users speculated about the potential impact of CTE on his behavior. Some called for his brain to be examined, hoping to find answers for the families affected by his actions. However, with the family’s refusal to donate his brain, the world may never know if his football career contributed to any cognitive or behavioral changes.

CTE, often associated with contact sports like football, can only be diagnosed after death. Its symptoms include memory loss, depression, anxiety, impaired judgment, and aggressive behavior.

In 2018, Simpson himself expressed concern about the possibility of having CTE. He acknowledged experiencing difficulties with short-term memory and word recall, which are potential indicators of the disease. Despite this, the family has chosen to decline brain donation, and Simpson’s body will be laid to rest in the coming days.

Simpson’s football legacy, marked by remarkable achievements, was forever overshadowed by the violent crimes that defined his later life. The public will never know with certainty if CTE played a role in his tragic downfall.