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mahatmakanejeeves

(68,535 posts)
Fri Jan 23, 2026, 07:42 PM Yesterday

Former NFL player Kevin Johnson stabbed to death at LA homeless encampment

Hat tio, ABC World News with David Muir

Former NFL player Kevin Johnson stabbed to death at LA homeless encampment

Friday, January 23, 2026 9:37AM PT

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Former NFL defensive lineman Kevin Johnson was found dead Wednesday morning at a homeless encampment in the Willowbrook area of Los Angeles. He was 55.

Johnson was found in the 1300 block of East 120th Street after deputies responded just before 8 a.m. to a report of an unconscious man, sheriff's officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. ... 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.

Investigators believe the former football player had been living at the encampment. They're asking for help from any witnesses who might have seen what happened.

Friends say Johnson had health issues later in life that led him to live on the streets, but they called him a wonderful friend who still made an impact on his community.

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Former NFL player Kevin Johnson stabbed to death at LA homeless encampment (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Yesterday OP
chronic traumatic encephalopathy... IcyPeas Yesterday #1
I guess the NFL cares little. The Forty Niners have their own fund for veteran players. usonian Yesterday #4
Sad. SamKnause Yesterday #2
That is so sad. LoisB Yesterday #3
The NFL has more money than God, Hassler Yesterday #5

IcyPeas

(25,001 posts)
1. chronic traumatic encephalopathy...
Fri Jan 23, 2026, 07:51 PM
Yesterday

Why are they not taken care of knowing this can happen. Maddening.

Johnson's friends, as well as trained neuroscientists, noted that he likely had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a neurological condition caused by repeated trauma, common in football players.[14]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Johnson_(defensive_tackle)

usonian

(23,805 posts)
4. I guess the NFL cares little. The Forty Niners have their own fund for veteran players.
Fri Jan 23, 2026, 08:46 PM
Yesterday
49ers alumni form Golden Heart Fund to help retired players
By Matt Maiocco, 49ers Insider • Published December 13, 2016 • Updated on December 26, 2019 at 8:47 am
https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nfl/49ers-alumni-form-golden-heart-fund-to-help-retired-players/1248080/

Faithful Beyond the 4th Quarter
https://goldenheartfund.org/
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