Former NFL player Kevin Johnson has been found dead at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. He was 55.
Johnson died Jan. 21 of homicide, specifically blunt head trauma and stab wounds, according to an online report from the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered Johnson just before 8 a.m. in the 1300 block of East 120th Street, as they responded to a report of an unconscious man, officials told ABC7. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Officials told the outlet that they believed Johnson had been living at the encampment.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the case remains an active investigation.
Otto Greule Jr./Allsport
The defensive lineman was from Los Angeles and played college football at Los Angeles Harbor College and Texas Southern University in Houston, where he played alongside future Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
In 1993, Johnson was a fourth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots before playing for the teams in Oakland, Minnesota, and Philadelphia, per USA Today. He played two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Johnson was suspended and later dropped from the team in 1996, after missing a practice.
He went on to play in the Arena Football League for both Los Angeles and Orlando.
The Las Vegas Raiders (formerly the Oakland Raiders) posted a tribute to him following the news of his death.
“The Raiders Family mourns the loss of Kevin Johnson,” the team posted on social media. “A defensive lineman out of Texas Southern, Johnson played for the Silver and Black for one season, seeing action in 15 games in 1997. He previously played two years in Philadelphia, totaling seven sacks in 23 games. The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with Kevin’s family at this time.”
Friends of Johnson’s told ABC7 that he had ended up homeless because of struggles with his health.
“He was my best friend,” said Bruce Todd, who identified himself as the best man at Johnson’s wedding. “Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him.”