OJ Simpson was a funny, charismatic, talented individual with a dark side driven by anger and greed.

My impressions of his positive characteristics is based on meeting him and confirmed by his many public appearances.

I met him at the Venice Beach Cafe sometime in 1987-1988. He was with Nicole and they sat beside my boss and me. My boss, who also was an All-American football player, played across from OJ in the 1967 Rose Bowl. They struck up a conversation about the game. And for over an hour, I saw the "best" of OJ.

Later as his life unraveled, the dark side became more and more apparent. I think OJ killed Nicole and later committed other crimes. I think OJ deserved his criminal acquittal based on the police tampering with the evidence. It was the first time that I can remember, a black man, could afford the kind of lawyers, that could bring out how far the justice system will go for a conviction. Every American benefited from this knowledge even as we wrestle with the integrity of our justice system today.

In some ways, his trial will be a bigger legacy, than his accomplishments. Criminal lawyers will study it for decades. I don't know how his family remembers him, for them I hope they remember "the guy" I met in the restaurant. For those harmed by OJ, he will always be a villain. For most of us, we will move on to the next news story of the day and OJ will rest in peace.