Former Lions Linebacker Jessie Lemonier Dies at 25, Teams and Former School Pay Tribute
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Jessie Lemonier has died, the team confirmed Thursday. He was 25.
No details have been released on the cause of death.
The Lions broke the sad news with a statement, saying they're "shocked and saddened" by Lemonier's death.
"Jessie was a model teammate and wonderful young man who is gone far too soon," the team said on social media.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who signed Lemonier as an undrafted free agent in 2020, released a similar statement on social media.
"Gone too soon. Our hearts are with Jessie's family, friends, and loved ones."
Lemonier spent one season with the Chargers, appearing in six games where he registered two tackles. After getting waived in August 2021, he was signed by the Lions. He totaled 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks across seven games before being waived in May.
Liberty University, where Lemonier played for two seasons, also saw the Lions' statement on Twitter. It later got a call from its former coach and current Auburn coach Hugh Freeze about the player's death.
«The Liberty Athletics family is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Flames football great Jessie Lemonier,» the Lynchburg, Virginia, school said in a statement. «Jessie was loved by Flames Nation for being a fierce competitor on the gridiron and cherished by his coaches and teammates in the locker room.»
