Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Kevin Johnson has died at age 55, according to TMZ. No cause of death has been publicly released, though TMZ provided a few details.
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"Johnson was found dead near a homeless encampment in L.A. on Tuesday," the outlet reported. "According to the medical examiner, his cause of death was listed as blunt head trauma and stab wounds. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating it as a homicide."
Johnson's passing prompted tributes from family, friends and former teammates across social media, with many remembering both his playing career and his impact off the field.
A fourth-round pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft, Johnson's professional path took him through several stops. After his release from New England, he went on to play for the Eagles, spent time with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad and later joined the Las Vegas Raiders.
His most productive NFL season came in 1995 with Philadelphia, when he posted six sacks, 19 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown across 11 games. He added another season with the Eagles in 1996, recording one sack and 14 tackles in 12 games before being released late that year.
Johnson played one season with the Raiders in 1997, then continued his football career in the Arena Football League. He won a championship with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and later spent time with the Los Angeles Avengers, though injuries limited his availability.
A Southern California native, Johnson played at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern, laying the foundation for a career that stretched across both the NFL and arena football.
