A former NFL star had his life tragically taken away from him.
Kevin Johnson, who once played for the Philadelphia Eagles, tragically lost his life this week. He was found dead on Wednesday morning at the age of 55. Unfortunately, the end of his life looked nothing like his prime days in the NFL.
His death was not from natural causes. Johnson, a former defensive tackle, was found dead in Los Angeles. Police are now investigating Johnson’s death as a homicide, according to a record from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The record cites “blunt head trauma and stab wounds.”
Not only did he die in a violent way, but Johnson was also seemingly homeless at the time of his death. His body was found at a homeless encampment. “Unfortunately, it appears he was homeless,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong said, according to Newsweek. “It looks like he was probably living there.”
One mile away from where Johnson was found, Homeland Security shot at a man. The bullets were directed at ‘violent criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, William Eduardo Moran Carballo’ after he ‘weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement.’ It is unknown if that situation has to do with Johnson’s death.
Kevin Johnson had just celebrated his 55th birthday in October. Johnson’s friends and family mourned him on social media.
Kevin Johnson Had A Notable Football Career Before His Untimely Death
Former football star Kevin Johnson is being remembered this week after his tragic death. He was a standout at Texas Southern before he was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 1993.
The Patriots released Johnson that August. That led him to brief stops in Minnesota and Oakland as a practice squad member and training camp participant. Eventually, the Philadelphia Eagles claimed him off waivers in August 1995. He played two seasons for the Eagles, appearing in 23 games and starting six of them in the regular season.
Kevin Johnson racked up 54 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery, which he also returned for a touchdown. In the postseason, he would play in two games in 1995. Things weren’t all good: Philadelphia suspended, then released, Johnson in 1996 after he missed a practice.
That led to a signing with the Raiders. Johnson went on to appear in 15 games for Oakland, tallying seven tackles. Following his release in 1998, he played four years in the Arena Football League, winning an ArenaBowl with the Orlando Predators in 1998.
