I still remember watching that Christmas game between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia, seeing Scottie Thompson sink that incredible buzzer-beating three-pointer to complete a 22-point comeback. That moment of athletic brilliance got me thinking about other athletes who've created magic on the court and field, particularly OJ Simpson's sports career before his life became completely overshadowed by the trial that would define his public legacy. Having studied sports careers for over fifteen years, I've always been fascinated by how athletic greatness can be so fleeting, how someone can dominate their sport completely only to have that legacy rewritten by what happens afterward.

When I look back at Simpson's football career, what strikes me most is the sheer dominance he displayed during his peak years. He wasn't just good - he was revolutionary. At USC, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 with what still stands as one of the most impressive statistical seasons in college football history. I've watched the old footage countless times, and even by today's standards, his athleticism was something special. His ability to change direction while maintaining top speed was unlike anything I'd seen before in running backs from that era. He had this unique combination of power and grace that made defenders look foolish. I remember studying his 1967 season where he rushed for 1,415 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, numbers that were absolutely staggering for that time period.

His professional career with the Buffalo Bills cemented his status as one of the all-time greats. The 1973 season stands out in particular - he became the first running back in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. Let me put that in perspective for you: 2,003 yards in just 14 games. That's an average of 143 yards per game, a record that stood for decades. I've always been partial to running backs who combine power with finesse, and Simpson was the prototype. His famous 64-yard touchdown run against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 remains one of the most technically perfect runs I've ever analyzed - the vision, the cuts, the acceleration were all textbook perfection.

What many people don't realize is how Simpson's success transcended the football field. He became one of the first black athletes to achieve mainstream commercial success with those Hertz rental car commercials. I remember seeing him sprint through airports in those ads as a kid and thinking he was the coolest athlete alive. He had this charismatic presence that made him naturally television-friendly. His transition to acting seemed almost inevitable - from the Naked Gun movies to various TV roles, he was building a legitimate post-football career. I've always believed that if not for what happened later, he would be remembered as one of the most successful athlete-to-entertainment transitions in history.

The decline of his sports relevance was gradual but noticeable. By the time he retired after the 1979 season, his skills had diminished significantly - his final season with the San Francisco 49ers saw him rush for just 460 yards. It's the natural cycle for athletes, but watching his decline was particularly poignant because he had been so dominant. I've always felt that the transition from sports stardom to ordinary life is one of the most challenging journeys for professional athletes, and Simpson seemed to struggle with finding his place after football. His broadcasting career never quite took off the way many expected, and his business ventures had mixed results.

Looking back now, it's impossible to separate the athlete from what came later. The trial and everything that followed cast such a long shadow over his athletic achievements that we've largely lost the context of just how revolutionary he was as a player. I've had countless conversations with younger football fans who only know him through the trial coverage, and they're often surprised when I show them his highlight reels and statistical achievements. The tragedy of OJ Simpson's sports career is that we can no longer appreciate it on its own terms - it's forever linked to what happened afterward. Much like that Christmas game where Scottie Thompson's incredible buzzer-beater will always be remembered in the context of that massive 22-point comeback, Simpson's football legacy will always be viewed through the lens of his subsequent fall from grace. The athletic brilliance remains, but the context has changed everything.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.