From the NFL to a Tent in Willowbrook: Former Eagles Lineman Kevin Johnson Found Murdered in Homeless Encampment
It is the story no sports fan wants to read, but one we are seeing too often.
Kevin Johnson, a former NFL defensive lineman who spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, was found dead Wednesday morning in a homeless encampment in South Los Angeles. He was 55 years old.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has officially ruled his death a homicide.
This wasn’t a natural passing. Authorities say Kevin Johnson died from “blunt head trauma and multiple stab wounds.” He was discovered unconscious near an overpass in the Willowbrook neighborhood—a stark, heartbreaking distance from the stadiums he once played in.
The Grim Discovery
According to the LA County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to the 1300 block of East 120th Street around 8:00 AM on Wednesday (Jan 21). They found Johnson unresponsive in the encampment where investigators believe he had been living.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
As of Friday, no suspects have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. But the brutality of the attack—beaten and stabbed—suggests a violent end to a life that had clearly spiraled.
Who Was Kevin Johnson?
To newer fans, the name might not ring a bell. But in the mid-90s, Johnson was a legitimate pro.
- Drafted: 4th Round by the New England Patriots (1993).
- Prime Years: He found his footing with the Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1996), where he played 23 games and recorded 7 sacks. He even had a highlight-reel moment: a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
- Later Career: He suited up for the Oakland Raiders in 1997 and later won an Arena Bowl championship with the Orlando Predators.
He was a defensive tackle. He was 6’1″, 305 lbs. He was strong. But clearly, life after football hit him harder than any offensive lineman ever did.
The “CTE” Question
Why was he there? Why was a former NFL draft pick living under an overpass? Friends and former teammates are already pointing to the silent killer: CTE.
While it hasn’t been diagnosed (it can only be confirmed post-mortem), those close to him have told local reporters that Johnson struggled with health issues and mental decline in recent years. It is a terrifyingly common trajectory: Head trauma leading to behavioral shifts, addiction, and eventually, homelessness.
How did this happen?
Kevin Johnson’s death is a crime scene, but it is also an indictment. The NFL generates billions of dollars a year. Yet, we still have former players dying in tents, victims of violence and neglect.
Rest in peace, #98. You deserved a better fourth quarter than this.
Status:
- Investigation: Active (Homicide).
- Suspects: None named.
- Cause: Stab wounds / Blunt Force Trauma.
