Per a report from ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, former Detroit Lions linebacker and pass rusher Jessie Lemonier has passed away. The cause of death has not been reported at this time.
Buy Lions WireFormer Detroit #Lions LB Jessie Lemonier has passed away, a source confirms to ESPN. Lemonier appeared in 7 games in Detroit during the 2021 season.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) January 26, 2023
Lemonier started his career in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Liberty university, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. He bounced back and forth between their active roster and practice squad throughout the season.
At the beginning of the 2021 season, Lemonier was waived by the Chargers and was quickly brought on to Detroit’s practice squad.
Lemonier earned a call-up to the active roster in October of that year and though he played a very small role on defense, he made quite the impact. In seven games that season with the Lions, he started twice at outside linebacker, recording 1.5 sacks as well as 15 total tackles.
The Lions initially re-signed him in April of 2022 but he was waived a month later.
Lemonier, French for SACKED!#GBvsDET 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/WJKDAUzfCq
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2022
He has since been with the Arizona Cardinals, as well as the Arlington Renegades of the XFL and the Houston Gamblers and Birmingham Stallions of the USFL.
