81 Across

NYT Daily ? September 21, 2025

"Was ___ blame?"

Answer:

ITO

Hint:

This judge presided over a famous 1990s trial involving a former football star and a white Bronco.

Explanation:

The clue "Was ___ blame?" is a fill-in-the-blank referencing the infamous O.J. Simpson trial, where prosecutor Marcia Clark famously asked, "Was it O.J.?"—later misquoted as "Was it blame?" in pop culture. The answer "ITO" plays on the name of the trial’s judge, Lance Ito, while also sounding like "I to" (as in "I blame you"), though the main connection is the judge’s last name. It’s a clever nod to a high-profile legal case where the phrasing stuck in public memory.

More Clues from This Puzzle

15 Down

5 letters

Make a big step, perhaps

25 Across

4 letters

Pro ___

32 Across

9 letters

Kicked off, as a business

51 Across

3 letters

Small square

General solving tip

Quoted clues often indicate a spoken phrase, interjection, or a title. Think of something you'd say out loud or see as a headline.

More tips → General Hints