In a tragic accident, a former NFL participant was found lifeless in a Los Angeles homeless encampment.
Kevin died aged 55 after struggling “blunt head trauma and stab wounds”, (Picture: Getty)
A former American soccer participant has been discovered useless at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles, with authorities confirming the case is now being handled as a murder. Kevin Johnson, who performed for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the course of the Nineties, died aged 55 after struggling “blunt head trauma and stab wounds”, in keeping with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. His physique was found on Wednesday (January 21) after officers responded to experiences of an unconscious man.
Johnson was pronounced useless on the scene, native station ABC6 reported, with detectives launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his dying. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong confirmed Johnson gave the impression to be dwelling on the encampment the place he was discovered. He mentioned: “Sadly, it seems he was homeless. It appears to be like like he was in all probability dwelling there.” Buddies advised ABC6 that Johnson had been battling ongoing well being issues, which they imagine in the end led to him dwelling on the streets.
Johnson’s skilled soccer profession spanned a number of leagues and groups (Picture: Getty)
Some additionally suspected he might have been affected by CTE, a degenerative mind illness linked to repeated head trauma and more and more related to former American soccer gamers.
Nevertheless, CTE can not presently be recognized in dwelling sufferers. One shut good friend, Bruce Todd, paid tribute to the previous athlete, saying: “He was my greatest good friend. I used to be one of the best man at his wedding ceremony. Nice man, fun-loving. The neighborhood goes to overlook him.”
Johnson’s skilled soccer profession spanned a number of leagues and groups. He performed in 38 NFL video games throughout three seasons, spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles between 1995 and 1996 earlier than becoming a member of the Oakland Raiders in 1997.
He later continued his profession within the Enviornment Soccer League with the Orlando Predators and the L.A. Avengers.
The New England Patriots initially chosen Johnson within the fourth spherical of the 1993 NFL Draft out of Texas Southern College, the place he was teammates with former defensive finish and present Good Morning America co-host Michael Strahan.
Johnson by no means performed a down for the Patriots and was launched later that summer season. He later performed for the Minnesota Vikings and the Raiders earlier than the Eagles claimed him in August 1995.
His best interval within the NFL got here early that season, when he recorded two sacks towards the New York Giants, adopted by a fumble restoration towards the St. Louis Rams that he returned 37 yards for a landing.
Johnson was launched by the Eagles in December 1996, then returned to the Raiders for the 1997 season. CTE has remained a serious challenge throughout American soccer, with rising scrutiny on the long-term results of repeated head accidents.
The situation returned to the highlight in July 2025 after Shane Tamura killed 5 folks, together with himself, inside a New York Metropolis constructing that housed an NFL workplace.
A word discovered on Tamura advised he believed he was affected by CTE after taking part in highschool soccer.
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