Kevin Johnson dies at 55: How did the former NFL defensive tackle die? Check shocking cause of death, his career and net worth; here’s what we know so far

Kevin Johnson, former NFL defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders, was found dead on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) at a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. He was 55. His body was reportedly discovered at a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area near South Los Angeles, according to Newsweek.

Johnson’s cause of death was listed as "blunt head trauma" and "stab wounds," and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to L.A. County Medical Examiner records, ABC 7 reported. Police in Los Angeles are investigating Johnson’s death as a homicide, according to Reuters.

He was found unconscious and later pronounced dead on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) in the 1300 block of East 120th Street after deputies responded just before 8 a.m. to a report of an unconscious man, ABC 7 reported, citing sheriff's officials. He was pronounced dead at the scene.


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

Kevin Johnson had health issues

Speaking to ABC 7, Johnson’s friends claimed that the former NFL defensive tackle had health issues later in life that led him to live on the streets.

"He was my best friend. I was best man at his wedding... Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him," Bruce Todd told Eyewitness News. His friends said Johnson had health problems that they believe might have been the result of CTE.

Kevin Johnson: Career and Net Worth

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, Reuters reported. 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. According to FOX 29, he played 23 games for the Eagles over two seasons. He recorded 43 tackles and seven sacks and returned one fumble for a touchdown.

Johnson joined the Raiders in 1997 and had 11 tackles in 15 games. He later played in the Arena Football League. There is no widely reported or reliable public estimate of his net worth.