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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Kevin Johnson.
The troubled life of former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Kevin Johnson came to a tragic end in a Los Angeles homeless encampment on Wednesday, and authorities are now adding another twist to the story.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, there is now an ongoing homicide investigation into the death of Johnson, who played for the Eagles in 1995 and 1996.
From TMZ Sports: “Johnson was found dead near a homeless encampment in L.A. on Tuesday. According to the medical examiner, his cause of death was listed as blunt head trauma and stab wounds. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is investigating it as a homicide.”
Johnson, 55 years old, is a Los Angeles native who starred at Westchester High and Los Angeles Harbor College before he transferred to Texas Southern.
“A man found dead near a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area of Los Angeles earlier this week has been identified as former NFL player Kevin Johnson, according to multiple reports,” KTLA’s Tony Kurzweil wrote on Wednesday. “Johnson’s body was discovered early Wednesday morning in the 1300 block of East 120th Street, prompting a homicide investigation. The motive for the killing remains unclear, and investigators have not released any suspect information.”
Breakout Season With Eagles in 1995
Johnson was drafted in the fourth round (No. 86 overall) by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL draft, but didn’t make his NFL debut in 1995 after spending 2 seasons on the practice squads for the Patriots, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders.
In 1995, Johnson had a breakout season with 6.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble and one 1 fumble return for a touchdown in just 11 regular-season games and played in 2 playoff games as well. He played 2 more NFL seasons, including a final season with the Raiders in 1997.
Johnson extended his pro football career by another 4 seasons in the Arena Football League, where he was an ArenaBowl champion with the Orlando Predators in 1998.
Following a game in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1999, Johnson was shot in the chest at a fried chicken restaurant around 3 a.m. but recovered and played 2 more seasons with the AFL’s Los Angeles Avengers.
In 2006, Johnson attempted a pro football comeback with the Predators that revealed some insight into his troubled life away from football, including a messy divorce and estrangement from his 7-year-old son.
“I messed up. I messed up,” Johnson told The Orlando Sentinel about his life after football. “It wasn’t that football was making me do anything. It was just me — me and my selfish ways. We have to change sometimes, you know, when you’re not doing the right things. I wasn’t doing the right things. I was hanging out too much, partying too much.”
CTE May Have Factored Into Homelessness
Many around Johnson believe CTE suffered during his football career may have been a factor in his struggles later in life — and a huge factor in what led to him becoming homeless.
“55-year-old former NFL d-lineman Kevin Johnson was murdered while living in a homeless encampment in LA,” concussion expert Dr. Chris Nowinski wrote on his official X account. “His friends believe cognitive problems from CTE led to his homelessness. They are most likely correct. We need to keep talking about CTE.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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