Former Raiders' Defensive Lineman, Kevin Johnson, Found Dead In Homeless Encampment

Former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Kevin Johnson was found dead in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, January 22nd. Johnson played three seasons in the NFL, two with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Raiders.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating Johnson’s death as a potential homicide, according to a record from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Blunt head trauma and stab wounds were cited as the cause of death for Johnson, who was just 55 years old.

Johnson’s death occurred at a homeless encampment in LA, which appeared to be where the former NFL player was living.

"Unfortunately, it appears he was homeless," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Steve De Jong said. "It looks like he was probably living there."

Johnson was a Los Angeles native, even attending Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern University. His play at Texas Southern was enough to see him selected in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

New England later released Johnson just a few months after the draft, leading to trips to the practice squad and training camp of the Minnesota Vikings and the Raiders. He was unable to land a spot on either team’s roster, but was eventually claimed off the waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1995.

In his first taste of NFL football with the Eagles in the 1995 season, Johnson recorded 19 tackles, six sacks, and returned a fumble for a touchdown in 11 games. After his impressive first season, Johnson started five games with Philadelphia in 1996.

He landed on the Raiders roster for the 1997 season, where he played 15 games and made 11 tackles. Johnson never played another snap in the NFL after his lone season with the Raiders.

Johnson then moved to the Arena Football League, where he won an ArenaBowl with the Orlando Predators in 1998. He also played for the Los Angeles Avengers from 2000 to 2001.