Former Eagles, Raiders standout’s cause of death revealed in devastating new report

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Former Eagles, Raiders standout’s cause of death revealed in devastating new report

January 23, 2026

Kevin Johnson, a lineman who played 38 games in the NFL from 1995-97, was found dead Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 55.

The Los Angeles County Coroner said Johnson sustained blunt-force stab wounds, and his death is being investigated as a homicide, according to NewsweekSports.

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A lineman, Johnson played 38 games for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders before going on to play in the Arena Football League from 1998-2001.

Authorities discovered Johnson’s body at a homeless encampment in the unincorporated Willowbrook area near South Los Angeles, according to Newsweek Sports.

Johnson helped Westchester High School win a Los Angeles City Section championship in 1988. He played collegiately at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern.

The New England Patriots took Johnson with their fourth-round pick (86th overall) in the 1993 draft.

10-29-95- This 1995 Eagles team is becoming a nice little story . The Eagles win their 4th straight beating the rams 20-9. Rodney Peete finds Calvin Williams for a touchdown & then it’s Kevin Johnson running a fumble back for a score . The birds are 5-3, with Dallas up next pic.twitter.com/kiSKtnmyaz

— 2006 Eagles (@2006Birds) October 29, 2025

After signing with the Eagles prior to the 1995 season, Johnson played 23 games at defensive tackle over the next two years in Philadelphia. He started six of those games, forced one fumble, recovered another for a touchdown, and recorded seven sacks.

In 1999, Johnson helped the Orlando Predators win Arena Bowl XII in August 1998, and helped the Pedators return to the AFL championship game the following year.