Biography

The American football player Ottis “O.J.” Anderson was born in 1957 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Before leading the New York Giants to their Super Bowl XXV, Anderson grew up running track and playing football for his local high school, Forest Hill High. After accepting a full scholarship to play football for the University of Miami, O.J. graduated with a degree in Physical Education, after spending four years leading Miami to a number of rushing records and earning himself the title of All- American.

O.J. was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979, and continued his reputation for outstanding rushing performances. Anderson was traded to the New York Giants in 1986, rising to become NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1989, after a period of challenges which made his future as an NFL star questionable. O.J. rose to become Super Bowl MVP for the Super Bowl XXV, but retired from the game in 1992. At the time of his retirement, O.J. Anderson ranked eighth in the NFL’s stats for rushing yards, and ranked 18^th in career rushing touchdowns.

After retiring, O.J. Anderson segued his career into that of an analyst and motivational speaker. Anderson established Ottis J. Anderson Enterprises, launching multiple entrepreneurial endeavors, and began to serve as a source of support for dozens of philanthropic organizations, such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the United Way of America, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.