×

Death of ex-NFL tackle Kevin Johnson ruled a homicide

By Thomson Reuters Jan 23, 2026 | 11:08 AM

Police in Los Angeles are investigating the death of former NFL defensive tackle ‍Kevin Johnson as a homicide.

He was found unconscious and later pronounced dead Wednesday at a homeless encampment in the city. On Thursday, ‌the Los Angeles County ‌Medical Examiner ruled his death as a homicide and said Johnson, 55, died from “blunt head trauma and stab ​wounds.”

A Los Angeles native, he played at Texas Southern ‍before being selected ​by the New England ​Patriots in the fourth round of ‍the 1993 NFL Draft.

He didn’t make an NFL appearance until 1995 with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent two seasons there ‍before a final campaign in 1997 with the then-Oakland Raiders.

In all, he played ‍in ‍38 games (six starts) and ​made 54 tackles and ​seven ⁠sacks to go with ‌one forced fumble and a recovered fumble that he returned 37 yards for a touchdown.

He later played in the Arena Football League.

–Field ⁠Level Media