Former Lions and Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier dies at 25 | NFL

Former Lions and Chargers linebacker Jessie Lemonier dies at 25

• Detroit mourn ‘model teammate and wonderful young man’
• Linebacker was due to play for USFL’s Birmingham Stallions

The Detroit Lions have paid tribute to their former player Jessie Lemonier, whose death at the age of 25 was announced on Thursday.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier,” the NFL team said in a statement. “Jessie was a model teammate and wonderful young man who is gone far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

His agent, Drew Smith, told ESPN that Lemonier had been expecting a child with his girlfriend. A cause of death has yet to be made public.

Lemonier spent a year with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 after his college career at Liberty University. He then spent the 2021 season with the Lions, where he recorded 17 total tackles and one and a half sacks in seven games.

“He’s a guy that has this laid-back [attitude],” Lions linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard said in December 2021. “I tell him he belongs on the beach because he has this laid-back demeanor to him … As long as you push him, you hold him accountable, he answers that bell every time.”

After the Lions waived Lemonier in May 2021, he had a brief spell with the Arizona Cardinals. He was set to play for the Birmingham Stallions in the new USFL season, which starts in April.

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