For a man who once battled in the trenches of the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Las Vegas Raiders, his final moments unfolded in a far different struggle. Former defensive tackle Kevin Johnson was found dead near a Los Angeles homeless encampment on Tuesday, a discovery that has unsettled both the local community and his former team. Authorities have shared only limited information about the circumstances surrounding his death so far, but what has been confirmed was enough to prompt a homicide investigation. Here’s what we know.

Johnson was found about 10 miles east of the Los Angeles International Airport, dead near a Compton homeless camp. In a statement, the sheriff’s office said deputies responded to a call and discovered an unconscious adult male, later identified as Johnson, 55, suffering from head injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled his death a homicide, citing blunt head trauma and stab wounds as the cause. And so, the case remains under investigation.

“Unfortunately it appears he was homeless,” Sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong said. “It looks like he was probably living there.” While friends have pointed to health issues later in his life as contributing factors, the medical examiner did not identify any underlying medical conditions connected to his death.

Johnson’s football path was winding, but it kept bringing him back to the game. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1993, though his NFL debut came with the Philadelphia Eagles. A Los Angeles native, Johnson attended Westchester High School before playing at Los Angeles Harbor College from 1989 to 1990. He later transferred to Texas Southern University, where he competed from 1991 to 1992.

Johnson entered the 1993 NFL Draft as an interior lineman and was selected in the fourth round by the Patriots. His stay in New England was brief. After being released before the season began, he spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders as a practice-squad player and offseason participant before the Eagles claimed him off waivers ahead of the 1995 season.

During his two seasons in Philadelphia, Johnson carved out a role. He appeared in 23 total games, including two playoff contests, recording 54 tackles, seven sacks, and returning a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. It wasn’t a star turn, but it was a solid production for a defensive tackle fighting to establish himself in the league.

After missing a practice in 1996, the Eagles released him that December, and he later re-signed with the Oakland Raiders. Despite the brief stint and uneven ending there, the Raiders released an official statement acknowledging the loss, as well.

Raiders mourn Kevin Johnson’s passing

Johnson appeared in 15 games for Oakland and recorded 11 tackles. When he didn’t meet expectations, the Raiders, then owned by Al Davis, released him in March 1998. But now, upon hearing the news of his passing, they have said:

“The Raiders Family mourns the loss of Kevin Johnson,” Raider’s statement read. “A defensive lineman out of Texas Southern, Johnson played for the Silver and Black for one season, seeing action in 15 games in 1997. He previously played two years in Philadelphia, totaling seven sacks in 23 games. The prayers of the entire Raider Nation are with Kevin’s family at this time.”

After his NFL career ended, Johnson continued playing professionally. He spent three years in the Arena Football League from 1998 to 2001, winning ArenaBowl XII with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and later playing for the Los Angeles Avengers. Even after the NFL door closed, football remained a constant in his life.

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Those close to Johnson told media outlets that his homelessness stemmed from ongoing health issues later in life.

“He was my best friend,” Bruce Todd, who served as Johnson’s best man at his wedding, said. “Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him.”

What led a former NFL lineman to his final moments in a Los Angeles encampment is still unfolding. May Kevin Johnson receive the justice he deserves. Rest in peace, Mr Johnson!