“I was amazed at how people flocked to him in public, wanting to say hello and snap a photo. Every time he walked into a room you could feel his aura and hear the whispers — ‘Did he or didn’t he?’” Simpson spent a lot of time playing golf, flashing his famous smile and waving a cigar at onlookers. He was a regular on public courses. His attempts to attain membership at private clubs were repeatedly rejected.