Chandler Loses Battle

Former football star and TV commentator Bob Chandler, who stood by his friend O.J. Simpson when Simpson was accused of murder, died of lung cancer. He was 45.

Chandler, who didn’t smoke, discovered he had cancer this summer. Despite treatments that cost him his energy, he continued to work on Los Angeles Raiders radio broadcasts.

Chandler became a starting receiver at USC in his sophomore season and finished his Trojan career with 80 receptions, 1,112 yards, eight touchdowns and the MVP Trophy from USC’s 10-3 1970 Rose Bowl win over Michigan.

He was drafted in the seventh round by Buffalo in the 1971 draft, where he was reunited with Simpson, a USC teammate. He later played for the Raiders.