Former NFL defensive lineman stabbed to death in Los Angeles, records show
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Kevin Johnson, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s, was stabbed to death in Los Angeles, authorities said. He was 55 years old.
Johnson’s body was discovered Wednesday at a homeless encampment, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The cause of death was listed as blunt force head trauma and stab wounds, according to records.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith tries to go up and pass to score, but is stopped at the goal line by Philadelphia Eagles defenders Kurt Gouvea (54) and Kevin Johnson (94) in the first half in Philadelphia. (Tom Mihalek/News via Getty Images)
His death was being investigated as a homicide. News Digital has reached out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for further comment.
“Unfortunately, it appears he was homeless,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong told Newsweek. “It looks like he probably lived there.”
Johnson’s friends and family mourned him on social media.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Kevin Johnson walks down the field during a game against the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on November 26, 1995. (Otto Greule Jr./All Sports)
He was a standout at Texas Southern before being drafted in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 1993. He never played down the Patriots and didn’t appear in an NFL game until 1995, when he was with the Eagles.
He played 23 games for the Eagles over two seasons. He recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Johnson joined the Raiders in 1997 and had 11 tackles in 15 games.
Kevin Johnson (99) of the Los Angeles Avengers falls trying to tackle Mike Jones (35) during the Arena football game against the San Jose Sabercats at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on June 2, 2001. (Kellie Landis/All Sports)
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The defensive tackle took a chance on Arena Football when his time in the NFL ended. He played on both sides of the ball for the Orlando Predators and helped them win an ArenaBowl championship in 1998. He later played for the Los Angeles Avengers.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.