Former NFL player Kevin Johnson died at age 55 after being found unconscious in a homeless camp in Los Angeles. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was head trauma associated with stab wounds. The case is being investigated by authorities as a homicide.
According to the Associated Press agency, investigators believe that Johnson lived in the camp at the time of the crime. Friends reported that the former athlete had faced a period of instability in recent years, largely due to health problems that arose after the end of his American football career.
In an interview with a local broadcaster, people close to him raised the possibility that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease associated with repeated impacts to the head and often linked to American football players.
Kevin Johnson: who he was and career
Born in Los Angeles, Kevin Johnson was born on October 30, 1970 and began his professional career in the NFL when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 1993 Draft, after playing for Texas Southern University. He was released before the start of the season, but had a brief stint on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
Johnson’s career gained momentum in 1995, when he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles after being claimed off waivers. In his first season for the team, he played in 11 games, starting one, recording 19 tackles, six sacks and a defensive touchdown after recovering a fumble. He also appeared in two playoff games that year, recording two tackles.
In 1996, he returned to play for the Eagles, appearing on the field in 12 games, starting five. During the season, he accumulated 24 tackles and one sack, but ended up being released in December. The following year, he signed with the Oakland Raiders, a team for which he played 15 games in the 1997 season, recording 11 tackles.
After leaving the NFL in early 1998, Kevin Johnson continued his career in the Arena Football League, a professional indoor American football league. He played for the Orlando Predators and the Los Angeles Avengers. In 1998, he was Arena Bowl champion with the Orlando team and, the following year, he returned to the league decision, finishing as runner-up.
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