Linebacker and defensive end Jesse Lemonier, who played for the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers, has died at the age of 25, the teams announced Thursday.
Listed by the NFL at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Lemonier was released in 2020 before signing with the Chargers. He appeared in six games for Los Angeles that year, then signed with Detroit in 2021 and played in seven games, with two starts. Lemonier was released by the Lions last May and landed with the Arizona Cardinals, who released him in training camp.
“Jesse Modell was a great teammate and a great young man to be around,” the Lions said he said.. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
In November, Lemonier what Prepared With the XFL’s Arlington Renegades, however, he chose to join the USFL instead. Houston Renegades of that league tribe him to the Birmingham Stallions on New Year’s Eve.
The USFL echoed the Lions by saying (via WBRC) was “shocked and saddened” by LeMonnier’s death.
“He was a brilliant football player and by all accounts a wonderful person,” the Birmingham-based league said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
LeMonnier’s agent said. ESPN The player and his girlfriend were expecting a child. The older brother of Corey Lemonier, who won a national championship with the 2010 Auburn Tigers, had a four-year NFL career before taking on the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets.
Jesse Lemonnier of Hialeah, Fla., transferred to Liberty after spending one season with Ventura (Calif.) College. In his two seasons with the Flames, a transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision, Lemonier helped the program reach its first bowl game. He was named the MVP of that tournament, the 2019 Cure Bowl, after recording eight tackles and two sacks in a win over Georgia Southern.
“Liberty Athletics Family Former Flames Football Great Jesse Lemonier” of Lynchburg, Va. They were very sad when they heard about the school’s passing. he said. In the description. “Jesse was beloved by Flames Nation for being a fierce competitor on the gridiron and loved by his coaches and teammates in the locker room.”