Officials ruled the 55-year-old’s death a homicide, and an investigation is ongoing. He had been living at the encampment and was discovered on the 1300 block of East 120th Street on Wednesday morning.

Friends told ABC 7 that the former Eagles defensive lineman suffered from CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma.

They acknowledged that the LA native’s health issues played a role in his being homeless.

“He was my best friend. I was best man at his wedding,” Bruce Todd said of Johnson to ABC 7. “Great guy, fun-loving. The community is going to miss him.”

Johnson began his NFL career in 1993, when he was drafted in the fourth round by the New England Patriots. He bounced around several teams over the next two years, but eventually found his footing with the Eagles in 1995.

In his first season with Philadelphia, he recorded 19 total tackles, six sacks and a touchdown on a fumble recovery in 11 games. In his second season, he logged one sack and 24 combined tackles in 12 games.

He went on to play one season for the Oakland Raiders.

Johnson finished his professional career in the Arena Football League.