Defensive lineman Kevin Johnson #94 on October 8, 1995 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - A former NFL player's life came to a tragic end, Los Angeles County officials announced.
What we know:
Kevin Johnson, who was a defensive lineman for the Philadelphia 76ers and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s, was found stabbed to death at a homeless encampment, officials said. The tragic incident took place around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, near the intersection of E. 120th STreet and Central Avenue in LA County's Willowbrook neighborhood.
The LA County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled his cause of death as blunt head trauma and stab wounds and his death is being investigated as a homicide.
"Unfortunately, it appears he was homeless," Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong told Newsweek. "It looks like he was probably living there."
No further details were released by authorities.
The backstory:
Johnson was a standout at Texas Southern and was selected in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He then made his NFL debut two years later with the Eagles.
26 Nov 1995: Defensive lineman Kevin Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles moves down the field during a game(Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport) (Getty Images)
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.
Following his NFL career, he played on both sides of the ball for the Orlando Predators and helped them to an ArenaBowl championship in 1998. He later played for the Los Angeles Avengers.
The Source: FOX News contributed to this report.