Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson was found dead at the age of 55 at a homeless encampment.
ABC 6 shares that he was found before 8:00 am in Los Angeles, as it was first reported as an unconscious man found. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have ruled the death of Johnson a homicide after evidence showed "blunt head trauma" and "stab wounds." Law enforcement added that they believed Johnson had been living at the encampment with friends, saying that he had health issues and was homeless, but still made an impact on the community. No word on whether police have any leads on who could have committed the crime.
Kevin Johnson dead at the age of 55
Johnson was a former fourth round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He would not make the Patriots' final roster and was signed onto the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad shortly after before getting released in the middle of the season.
There wouldn't be a return to the NFL for Johnson until 1995 when the Oakland Raiders signed him. He would also not make their roster and was cut shortly after signing.
It would be the next team that Johnson had his breakout season in 1995: the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson played in 11 games and started in one game, racking up 19 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. He came back in 1996 with the Eagles as he posted a career-high 24 tackles while adding one sack as Johnson played in 12 games and started five.
After getting released by the Eagles, he re-signed with the Raiders where he spent the 1997 season playing in a career-high 15 games. Johnson finished that season with 11 tackles.
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That would be his last NFL season as he finished his football career in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators and Las Angeles Avengers from 1998 through 2001, winning an ArenaBowl in 1998.