Kevin Johnson, a former NFL defensive tackle who played with the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s, was found dead on Jan. 21 in a Los Angeles County homeless encampment, authorities have confirmed.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
NTD reached out to the sheriff's department for comment, but no additional information was available at this time.
Officials are urging anyone with information about the case to contact the department's homicide bureau directly.
Born on Oct. 30, 1970, in Los Angeles, Johnson played collegiate football while attending Los Angeles Harbor College, later transferring to Texas Southern University in Houston.
In 1995, he was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he starred for two seasons before joining the Oakland Raiders in 1997.
"I went to duck for cover," he told the publication, noting that a fight had broken out at a nearby table. "But I guess there wasn't enough cover."
Johnson was able to resume play within two weeks, but was dealing with other challenges in his personal life, including the death of his father and a divorce from the mother of his then 7-year-old son, Branden.
"We have to change sometimes, you know, when you’re not doing the right things. I wasn’t doing the right things. I was hanging out too much, partying too much," Johnson shared, adding that he was able to seek help from a therapist.
"I know inside my heart that I’m not as bad as I was yesterday," he said. "I feel at peace."