A homicide investigation is currently underway in Los Angeles following the death of Kevin Johnson, a former NFL defensive lineman who played for both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oakland Raiders. Johnson was discovered early Wednesday morning in the Willowbrook neighborhood, near an overpass in the 1300 block of East 120th Street.

According to TMZ, reports from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Johnson’s cause of death was attributed to blunt head trauma and multiple stab wounds. Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, which was located within a homeless encampment, after Johnson was found unconscious. Investigators believe Johnson was residing at the site at the time of the incident. While the motive remains unclear, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has officially ruled the death a homicide. No suspect information has been released as of Friday.

Johnson, 55, was a Los Angeles native who rose through the ranks of Southern California football. He began his collegiate career at Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to Texas Southern University. His professional journey started when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. Though he was released by the Patriots before the season began, Johnson eventually found his footing in the league with the Philadelphia Eagles.

During his tenure in Philadelphia, Johnson appeared in 23 games between 1995 and 1996, proving to be an effective presence on the defensive line. He recorded seven sacks and 43 tackles during those two seasons, including a memorable fumble recovery for a touchdown. Following his time with the Eagles, Johnson returned to his roots in California to play for the Oakland Raiders in 1997, appearing in 15 games.

Beyond the NFL, Johnson transitioned to the Arena Football League, where he saw significant success. He won a championship with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and later played for the Los Angeles Avengers.