Sad news has struck the NFL community as former defensive tackle Kevin Johnson was tragically killed in an attack at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles County. The authorities have deemed his death a homicide, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner concluding that Johnson passed away from blunt head trauma and stab wounds on Jan. 23. The investigation into this devastating incident is still ongoing.
Johnson, 55, was discovered on Jan. 21 at the encampment, where it is believed he had been residing, according to The New York Times. His passing has garnered national attention, not only due to his successful football career, but also shedding light on the challenges that many former athletes face after retiring from their sport.
Born and raised in Southern California, Johnson's football journey began at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU). He played for the Tigers from 1991 to 1992 and was part of a talented defensive unit that caught the eye of NFL scouts. During his time at Texas Southern, Johnson was teammates with the legendary Michael Strahan, who would eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as reported by HBCU Game Day.
In 1993, Johnson entered the NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, he was released before the regular season began. He then had brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and the Oakland Raiders before being claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles for the 1995-96 season. Johnson went on to play in 13 games for the Eagles, including two postseason games. The following year, he re-signed with the Eagles and played in 12 games, starting in five of them, before being released in December. Johnson then returned to the Raiders and played in 15 games during the 1997-98 season, but was released again in March 1998.
Throughout his three seasons in the NFL, Johnson recorded 54 tackles, seven sacks, and even scored a 37-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery. After his time in the NFL, Johnson continued his professional career in the Arena Football League from 1998 to 2001. He was a member of the Orlando Predators team that won ArenaBowl XII.
In the wake of Johnson's passing, his former teammates and friends have come forward to share their memories and speak about the struggles he faced later in life. According to People, they believe that his health issues may have been linked to head trauma sustained during his football career. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the long-term effects of playing professional football, as highlighted in a recent study that revealed former NFL player Demaryius Thomas had Stage 2 CTE before his passing.
