Who is 2018's O.J.?

[Bored5000]

Shaquille O'Neal. He checks off all the boxes the OP named: was a huge star, lots of exposure on commercials and movies,

[pokerplyr80]

Peyton Manning

[D. Bergin]

Derek Jeter


Completely different personalities, but similar levels of fascination.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Bored5000

Shaquille O'Neal. He checks off all the boxes the OP named: was a huge star, lots of exposure on commercials and movies,

Didn't he already kill Tokyo?

[drcy]

Shaquille O'Neal. OJ was of similar fame, and OJ was very well liked and not at all controversial. He was a good looking glamour guy, but that he played self-deprecating and very funny roles in the Naked Gun movies made him appealing to the public. I thought he was great in those movies. Not one to one with OJ, but O'Neal seems to be a likable, nice and funny guy.

I think Peyton Manning is comparable, in that he is well liked, non-controversial, does funny stuff/makes fun of himself and does way too many commercials. The only real backlash against Peyton is that he does so many commercials and endorsement.

Stephen Colbert: Peyton Manning: MVP of Selling Stuff

[Bored5000]

I think if we are going to try find the athlete who would be most comparable to O.J. at the present time, the choice has to be African-American. Before the murders, O.J. largely transcended race and was seen as affable and non threatening. How many people had any idea O.J. had those domestic violence incidents prior to the murders?

So much of his trial was about race (and celebrity), however. That dichotomy would be completely lost if a white athlete was accused of such a crime.

[vintagetoppsguy]

I agree with Shaq