Sharon Bruneau met O.J. Simpson in 1992. This was not just a one time encounter. O.J. Simpson would frequently exercise at Gold Gym. Sharon living in California, this was the place to be for bodybuilding competition. Sharon had come in 4th place at the Ms. International and it was publicized in Flex Magazine. A photo documents the encounter at the time. Sharon’s story is both bizarre and some what chilling. The photo from Flex Magazine was on her Instagram, but was mysteriously removed. Looking back, Sharon said she dislikes the image. The reason had to do with what transpired in 1994. The murder of Nicole Brown and the not guilty verdict caused a media circus. Sharon Bruneau’s story discusses O.J. Simpson’s repeated romantic overtures. According to her, he just would not take no for an answer. Based on her post it almost sounded as if O.J was stalking her. Sharon Bruneau even said sometimes she would change what time she would come to the gym. Eventually, he lost interest.
Sharon was competing between the years of 1991 to 1995. A Canadian that relocated to America she was part of a new generation of women bodybuilders. O.J. approached Sharon in Gold’s Gym. The football athlete and actor presented a persona of being amicable. O.J. Simpson was hiding his true nature. He had a history of domestic abuse. This explains why Nicole Brown divorced him in 1992. O.J, had a pattern of cheating on his spouses and violence. Much of this did not come to the attention of the public until the 1994 murder trial.
O.J. could not stay away from women. Sharon Bruneau was on his radar. The year this occurred was the time of the his divorce. Simpson had some good taste if he set his sights on Sharon. The terrifying aspect is that Sharon could been another victim of an abusive relationship. His constant requests for dates could be seen as either harassment or stalking like behavior. Sharon did not describe that way, but listening to her story one get that impression. She might have found herself in a Sally McNeil situation.
O.J. was abusive to his romantic partners. This did not prevent him from getting women. The reality is that women are attracted to fame, status, and power. The men with the most power can be the most dangerous to women. Women are willing to stay with an abusive man if they have enough status and money. There are women who are better at sensing danger. Sharon was fortunate in this regard.
Sharon Bruneau posted the image on her Instagram and removed it. No explanation was given. The conjecture was that it brough up uncomfortable conversations. The racial and sex politics related to the O.J. Simpson trial are still debated. Ron Goldman was murdered, but the media mostly focused on Nicole Brown. The media was more upset about a murder of a white woman. Then came the acquittal, which demonstrated problems with the American criminal justice system. African Americans for centuries were persecuted. The acquittal of O.J. Simpson was vengeance for white privilege protecting those who murdered blacks. The outcome of the O.J. trial was directly linked to the police brutality directed at Rodney King in 1992. The police officers were acquitted of their criminal wrong doing. This sparked the LA riots. Some African America’s celebrated not because they loved O.J., but it was a pushback against a corrupt criminal justice system. When O.J. Simpson is mentioned a contentious debate breaks out. Sharon probably removed it for that reason. Then the concerns about domestic abuse. Often women’s domestic abuse victimhood is not taken seriously. Nicole Brown able to get a divorce, but that did not ensure her safety. Violence directed at women remains a frequent experience.
Sharon Bruneau expressed she used to like the image. However, she changed her mind. Removing the image or being ashamed of it makes no sense. It was not like Sharon was involved in O.J.’s crimes or did a nefarious act. There was no way of her knowing of what he was going to do in 1994. Many politicians, entertainers, athletes, and other public figures have engaged in unethical behavior. Avoiding a section of vituperative comments is understood. However, history or the past should not be erased. O.J. Simpson was still a great football player. The legacy of the 1994 murder case overshadowed an impressive athletic career. When O.J. Simpson died in 2024, the conversations surrounding his legacy in sports was ignited. Sharon Bruneau only met O.J. Simpson a few times at Gold’s Gym. She did not know him like his friends or family did. People have a way of hiding who they are. O.J. had serious character flaws, which he did not overcome. Sharon Bruneau’s encounter with Simpson saw his more charming side. If this was the dominant aspect of his personality his life would have turned out much better. Sharon Bruneau’s meeting with O.J. is a bizarre chapter in sports history.