Former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson was founded stabbed and beaten to death in a Los Angeles homeless encampment this week. He was 55.
Per ABC 7, Johnson was found on East 120th Street after deputies responded just before 8 am. to a report of an unconscious man, sheriff’s officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials ruled his death a homicide with the cause of death listed as “blunt head trauma” and “stab wounds.”
A man who claims to be Johnson’s best friend, Bruce Todd, described the football star as a “great guy, fun loving,” and that “community is going to miss him.”
Other friends told the news outlet that Johnson had health issues later in life that led him to live on the streets. They believe the source of his health problems could have been CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma.
Johnson was a standout defender at Texas Southern University. His collegiate play earned him a spot in the 1993 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots.
Johnson’s professional football career spanned from 1995-1997, playing for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson played two seasons for the Eagles, appearing in 23 games and starting six of them in the regular season. He recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks and returned one fumble for a touchdown.
Johnson joined the Raiders in 1997 and had 11 tackles in 15 games.
After his career in the NFL ended, he played in the Arena Football League with the Orlando Predators and L.A. Avengers
The story is still developing.