Former Detroit Lions linebacker Jessie Lemonier dies at 25 Outside linebacker Jessie Lemonier, who appeared in seven games for the Detroit Lions in 2021, has passed away.
He is 25 years old.
The Lions revealed his death in a statement on Thursday, adding that they had confirmed it with his family.
They did not provide any details.
“Jessie was a model teammate and a wonderful young man, gone too soon,” Lions said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Lemonier was signed to the Lions’ practice squad ahead of the 2022 season, days before being released by the Los Angeles Chargers.
The other half will face Arizona on December 19, 2021.
Liberty University, where Lemonier played for two seasons, said it also saw the Lions’ statement on Twitter.
Then he received a call from his former coach and current Auburn coach, Hugh Freeze, about the player’s death.
“The Liberty Athletics family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Flames soccer player Jessie Lemonier,” the Lynchburg, Va.
school said in a statement.
“Jessie is beloved by Flames Nation because she is a fierce competitor on the court and is loved by her coaches and teammates in the locker room.
” Lemonier was waived by the Lions in May and claimed by Arizona.
He spent the offseason with the Cardinals and some training camp took place before being cut last summer.
He signed with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in December and was traded to the Birmingham Stallions.
Lemonier was selected by the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL Draft but chose to stay in the USFL.
After playing at Hialeah High School in Florida, Lemonier spent one season at Ventura College in California before transferring to Liberty, where he helped the school move from the FCS to the FBS level in two seasons (2018–19).
Lemonier capped off his career at Liberty by earning MVP honors in the 2019 Cure Bowl, helping the Flames win their first bowl game.
With the win over Georgia Southern, Liberty became the third FBS to win a bowl game in its first season.
Lemonier finished his career for the Flames with 20 and a half sacks, which ranked third in program history at the time.
He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
