Jessie Lemonier dead at 25: Ex-Detroit Lions and LA Chargers linebacker, news confirmed by team
>
BREAKING: Former Lions and Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier dies at 25: Agent confirms he and girlfriend ‘were expecting a child’
Former Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier has died at the age of 25, it was confirmed Thursday morning.
Lemonier played in seven games, and two starts, for the Lions during the 2021 season and recorded a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the regular season finale in January 2022.
It is currently unclear how he died, and his agent confirmed to ESPN that “he and his girlfriend were expecting a child.”
Jessie Lemonier, pictured with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021, has died at the age of 25
Lemonier (right) celebrates with his Detroit Lions teammates during the 2021 season
Lemonier was from Hialeah, Florida, and is the younger brother of former Auburn and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Corey Lemonier, a 2013 third-round pick who also spent time with the New York Jets, Lions and Cleveland Browns.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier. Jessie was a model teammate and a wonderful young man gone too soon,” a Lions statement said.
Selected by the XFL’s Arlington Renegades in the 2023 draft, Jessie Lemonier signed with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers and was traded to Birmingham for quarterback Montell Cozart. He was set to play for Birmingham this spring.
Lemonier’s agent confirmed to ESPN that the former NFL player was expecting a child
Lemonier last played in the NFL in January 2022 and was set to play for Birmingham in the XFL.
Lemonier began his college career at Ventura College and played for Liberty, recording 20.5 sacks over two seasons.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers and played in six games in 2020. He joined the Lions in 2021 and went from practice squad to active roster in November 2021.
Lemonier was recalled from waivers by the Arizona Cardinals in March 2022 and spent the offseason with the team before being released at the end of training camp in August.