SIMPSON SIGHTING USC LEGEND MAKES RARE VISIT TO OLD TEAM.

Byline: Scott Wolf Staff Writer

MIAMI - In a season that often harked back to its glory days, USC on Saturday received the blessings of the biggest icon of that era.

During a quiet morning practice at secluded Nova Southeastern University, O.J. Simpson arrived to watch his first USC practice in more than 15 years and received a red-carpet welcome from players, nearly all of whom were born after he retired from the NFL.

There was no hint of controversy and no references to his 1995 trial, where he was found not guilty of murdering his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

This was all about a former Heisman Trophy winner and USC legend showing up at the invitation of the latest star tailback, Justin Fargas, who called Simpson at home Friday and insisted he come watch the Trojans prepare for the Orange Bowl.

``Justin had three other guys with him and called me and said, `We have to see you,' '' Simpson said. ``I think (Ted) Tollner was coach the last time I went to practice. Then I got disillusioned. A lot of guys were disillusioned. It was frustrating.''

Simpson had no disillusionment Saturday. He posed for pictures with players, including fellow Heisman winner Carson Palmer, signed autographs, schmoozed, renewed acquaintances with staff members and was serenaded by a group of players chanting, ``Juice, Juice, Juice'' at the end of practice.

Afterward, he drove in a golf cart to the team's makeshift locker room, where he stayed and signed autographs until the last player left.

``Yeah, you're a Trojan for life, man. That never changed,'' Simpson said. ``USC people have always been supportive. After the first trial, there was so much support from the alumni. That's never been in question.''

If Simpson was welcomed back, his comments made it clear he finally gave the Trojans his seal of approval. It followed a 16-year estrangement period that had more to do with his unhappiness with the football program than any public scorn he might have encountered since his trial.

``The '80s and '90s turned a lot of us off. It seemed like they were trying to lose at times,'' Simpson said. ``For years, I thought they were out of shape.''

But those feelings dissipated as Simpson watched the Trojans play on TV from his home in Kendall, Fla., about 45 minutes from USC's practice facility in suburban Davie, Fla.

``I've got to admit I wasn't a Pete Carroll fan when he got hired, but now I'm his biggest fan,'' Simpson said. ``I love this team. They can really play ball. They've been aggressive. It's the way we used to play. That's why I like Pete Carroll.

``Myself and a lot of former SC guys feel they're playing the way we used to. This year, they're finally the SC of old.''

Ironically, Simpson said watching USC mount comebacks during losses to Kansas State and Washington State convinced him the Trojans resembled teams from the halcyon era.

``(Former USC defensive lineman) Al Cowlings and I were on the cell phone about midway through the season, and we said, `They're going after people,' '' Simpson said. ``You can see a difference. I really loved the Notre Dame and UCLA games. I've never lost to either one of those teams. I've taken a lot of stuff from guys who root for Notre Dame.''

It's clear Simpson keeps close tabs on his alma mater. When offensive coordinator Norm Chow strolled by, Simpson told him, ``Hey, I'm glad you didn't go to Kentucky,'' referring to Chow's turning down the head-coaching position Tuesday.

Carroll, who got wind of a possible appearance the night before, was happy Simpson showed up.

``It's good. He had a chance to see his school,'' Carroll said. ``Guys were excited. He's a legend. Heisman winners at our school are held in the highest regard.''

That made his meeting with Palmer somewhat historical, as the latest Heisman holder met USC's most famous winner.

``It's great,'' Palmer said. ``You win a bunch of games and all of a sudden a bunch of guys come back. It's fun. I heard he lived down here, and I was hoping he would come out.''

Simpson returned the admiration for Palmer, who received his vote two weeks ago for the Heisman Trophy.

``He seemed the most valuable player to his team,'' Simpson said. ``I'm surprised it's a quarterback (and not a tailback), but the way they're playing, he deserves it.''

As they posed for photos, Simpson limped noticeably and said he intended to undergo knee-replacement surgery as soon as possible on his right knee.

No one was happier than Fargas, who has known Simpson for years and tried unsuccessfully to wear his retired No. 32 this season.

``I would like to wear it. That's the best running back number,'' Fargas said. ``He said it's OK, but USC said it's a retired number.

``It was cool for him to see us work today. A lot of guys admired the way he played the game.''

Fargas said he knew Simpson since he played at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks.

``I talked to him before I got recruited and during recruiting,'' Fargas said. ``We'd been in contact. I remember when I was getting recruited, he signed an autograph for me that said, `Think USC.' That always stuck in my mind, and I talked to him when I was thinking of coming back home from Michigan.

``O.J. for me is one of the greatest ever.''

As Simpson watched practice, word spread fast around the area, as strangers showed up asking Simpson to sign Buffalo Bills mini-helmets, hardly something a fan would just happen to bring to a USC practice.

``There's an autograph place around here, and when they hear I'm around, they send people over,'' Simpson said.

The public fawning wasn't restricted to fans and autograph hounds, as a member of the Broward County Sheriff's Department remarked, ``I should go get a picture.''

Simpson said the crowd's positive reaction was pretty much the normal reception he gets these days.

``Occasionally, someone will yell something. I can't tell you the last time it happened,'' Simpson said. ``My friends will go after them. I play golf a lot, and one time (Lawrence Taylor) went after them.''

The only question for Simpson this week is whether he will attend the Orange Bowl and watch the fifth-ranked Trojans play third-ranked Iowa.

``There's a good chance I'll go to the game,'' Simpson said. ``I've got good tickets and a friend who has a box. I don't go to too many games. I go to high school games. It just gets nuts when I go out.''

After everyone departed practice, Simpson patiently stayed and talked to reporters. Finally, with some coaxing from Fargas, he got into a black Lincoln Navigator and the pair went to lunch.

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(color) USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer talks to former USC tailback and Heisman winner O.J. Simpson.

Gary I. Rothstein/Associated Press