Kevin Johnson accumulated 54 tackles and seven sacks across three NFL seasons in the mid-1990s. Otto Greule Jr. / Allsport
Onetime Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Kevin Johnson was killed Wednesday in a violent attack at a homeless encampment, according to a Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report.
The medical examiner classified Johnson’s cause of death as “blunt head trauma and stab wounds,” listing the manner as “homicide.” It remains under investigation.
Johnson played collegiately for Los Angeles Harbor College from 1989 to 1990 before transferring to Texas Southern University, where he competed from 1991 to 1992. The New England Patriots selected the Los Angeles native with a fourth-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft but released him before the season began.
After practice squad and offseason stints with the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Johnson off waivers ahead of the 1995-96 season. He went on to play in 13 games, including two playoff games. The Eagles brought him back in 1996, with Johnson playing in 12 games, five of which he started. Philadelphia released him that December.
Johnson re-signed with the Raiders and played in 15 games during the 1997-98 season but was released again in March 1998.
Johnson accumulated 54 tackles, seven sacks and returned a fumble for a 37-yard touchdown across his NFL career. He later spent three years as a two-way lineman in the Arena Football League from 1998 to 2001. His time in the AFL included a win in ArenaBowl XII with the Orlando Predators.
The medical examiner did not identify any significant conditions that contributed to Johnson’s death.