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O.J. Simpson to be released from prison: 'I could have been a better Christian'

‘It’s sickening he’ll be free’: Sports world reacts to Simpson decision

Former NFL football star O.J. Simpson enters for his parole hearing at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nev., on Thursday, July 20, 2017.
Former NFL football star O.J. Simpson enters for his parole hearing at the Lovelock Correctional Center in Lovelock, Nev., on Thursday, July 20, 2017.Read moreJason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP

O.J. Simpson, also known as inmate 1027820, was granted a pardon from his prison sentence by four members of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners on Thursday. The NFL Hall of Famer and former movie star could be released from prison as early as October 1.

"If I would have made a better judgment back then, none of this would have happened. And I take full responsibility," Simpson told the parole board through a video conference from Lovelock Correctional Center, where he has spent the past nine years in prison.

"I haven't made any excuses in nine years here, but I should have never allowed these alleged security guys to help me, because it turned out they were only trying to help themselves," Simpson said.

"I realize in my nine years here, that I was a good guy on the street," Simpson added. "I was always a good guy, but I could have been a better Christian."

The parole board hearing also had its odd moments, including Simpson revealing that he run's the 18-team softball league at Lovelock Correctional Center and one of the commissioners wearing a Chiefs tie.

Meanwhile, opinions of the decision ran the gamut throughout the sporting world.

Simpson, now 70-years-old, was convicted in 2007 after he enlisted men he claims he barely knew, including two who had guns, in a scheme to rob two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel room. He was sentenced to 33-years-in prison.

"My crime was trying to retrieve for my family my own property," Simpson told the parole officials in 2013. "Make no mistake, I would give it all back to get these last five years back."

During a highly-publicized 1995 murder trial, Simpson was found not guilty of murder in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. He was later found liable in civil court for the deaths and ordered to pay $33.5 million to the survivors, including his own children and members of the Goldman family.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.