what happened to kevin johnson
Kevin Johnson, the former NFL defensive lineman who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, was killed earlier this week at age 55 in Los Angeles.
What happened to Kevin Johnson?
- Kevin Johnson was found unconscious on the morning of January 22, 2026, at a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles.
- The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined he died from blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds, and classified the case as a homicide.
- Authorities believe he had been living at the encampment at the time of his death; the investigation is ongoing and no suspect information has been publicly released yet.
His football career in brief
- Johnson played college football at Texas Southern University before being drafted in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 1993.
- He is best known for his time as a defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995–1996, where he appeared in 23 games, recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks, and returned a fumble for a 37-yard touchdown.
- He later played 15 games for the Oakland Raiders in 1997 and went on to play in the Arena Football League, winning an ArenaBowl championship with the Orlando Predators.
Reaction and context
- News of Johnson’s killing has drawn sympathy and shock from fans and former teammates, with many noting the tragic arc from NFL starter to experiencing homelessness.
- Commenters in sports communities have highlighted broader concerns about life after professional sports, mental and physical health, and the risks faced by people living in encampments.
Mini timeline
- Early 1990s: Stars at Texas Southern University, drafted by the Patriots in 1993.
- 1995–1996: Plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, including playoff appearances.
- 1997: Plays for the Oakland Raiders; later moves to Arena Football, winning a title with Orlando.
- January 22, 2026: Found at a Los Angeles homeless encampment with fatal injuries; medical examiner rules the death a homicide.
Quick HTML table of key facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Who | Kevin Johnson, former NFL defensive lineman (Eagles, Raiders) |
| Age at death | 55 years old |
| Date found | Morning of January 22, 2026 |
| Location | Homeless encampment in Willowbrook, South Los Angeles |
| Cause of death | Blunt head trauma and stab wounds; ruled a homicide |
| Status of case | Active homicide investigation; no public suspect details yet |
| Notable NFL highlight | Returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown with the Eagles in 1995 |
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.