Former NFL defensive tackle Kevin Johnson, who played in the mid-1990s for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, has died at the age of 55. His death is being investigated as a homicide, officials and multiple news outlets report.
Johnson’s body was discovered on Wednesday near a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area of Los Angeles, according to authorities. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office listed his cause of death as blunt head trauma and stab wounds. Law enforcement has launched a homicide investigation as detectives work to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Johnson, a Southern California native, was born on October 30, 1970, in Los Angeles. After a standout high school career at Westchester High, he began his collegiate football journey at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern University. The New England Patriots selected him in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft, but he was released before the regular season.
He eventually made his NFL debut with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995, recording six sacks, 19 tackles, and returning a fumble for a touchdown across 11 games. Johnson played again for the Eagles in 1996 before brief stints with the Oakland Raiders. After his NFL career, he extended his playing days in the Arena Football League, where he won a championship with the Orlando Predators in 1998.
Friends, family members, and former teammates have taken to social media to express their grief and condolences following news of his death. Several tributes highlighted both his achievements on the field and the challenges he faced later in life.
Details remain limited as investigators continue to gather evidence and speak with potential witnesses in the area where Johnson was found. Law enforcement has not yet released information about possible suspects or motives.
