Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison pays more than what guest wanted for OJ Simpson signed helmet (marketrealist.com)
“Pawn Stars” viewers witnessed an interesting turn of events when a Heisman helmet signed by 28 trophy winners, including O.J. Simpson, landed on Rick Harrison’s counter.
The seller initially hoped for $800, a figure Harrison deemed reasonable. However, the item’s uncertain provenance, due to a defunct authentication company, prompted Harrison to consult an expert.
The expert verified the signatures’ authenticity, appraising the helmet at a staggering $2,500. This revelation prompted the seller to revise their asking price to $1,800. After some back-and-forth, Harrison and the seller settled on $1,450 – significantly more than the initial offer, but less than the expert’s valuation.
Among the many notable signatures, Simpson’s arguably held the most notoriety. Simpson’s storied football career was overshadowed by the 1994 murder trial following the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman.
Although acquitted, the highly publicized case, including the infamous white Ford Bronco chase, remains etched in public memory. Years later, Simpson faced armed robbery and kidnapping charges, resulting in a prison sentence from which he was released on parole in 2017.
This controversial history undoubtedly contributed to the helmet’s intrigue on “Pawn Stars.”