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.
Lemonier, who was drafted by the XFL’s Arlington Renegades in November, instead recently signed with the USFL’s Houston Gamblers for the upcoming season before being traded to the Birmingham Stallions.
He appeared in seven games with the Lions during the 2021 season, finishing with 15 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals last summer and registered a sack in a preseason game but was later released during training camp.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier,” the Lions 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 of DEC Management, told ESPN that Lemonier and his girlfriend were expecting a child.
Lemonier, a native of Hialeah, Florida, originally signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Liberty in 2020. He saw action in six games, making two tackles.
The former linebacker would have been 26 on January 26, and tributes have been made by his former teams, Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers, who have shared their devastation at Lemonier’s death.
His cause of death has not yet been announced, but that hasn’t stopped theories surrounding his unexpected passing being shared on social media.
Lemonier played seven games during the 2021 season with the Lions, starting two of them and included a sack of Green Bay Packers’ legendary quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Jessie was the younger brother of Corey Lemonier, who was picked in the third round of the 2013 draft and went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers, the New York Jets, the Lions, and the Cleveland Browns during his career.
The Cardinals claimed Lemonier off waivers in 2022 but he didn’t appear in a game with the team.
The Arlington Renegade of the XFL selected Lemonier in last November’s draft. The linebacker opted to instead join the United States Football League and signed with the Houston Gamblers, who traded him to the Birmingham Stallions.
Lemonier was drafted by an XFL team, the Arlington Renegades, in November but chose to sign a contract with the USFL instead before playing a game, and his agent told ESPN that the linebacker was expecting a child with his girlfriend.
His most-recent NFL team, the Chargers, released a statement about Lemonier’s passing: “Gone too soon. our hearts are with Jessie’s family, friends and loved ones.”
His sudden death has been queried on social media as conspiracy theorists quickly blamed the COVID-19 vaccine.
One person stated that he would share Lemonier’s status, posting on Twitter: “NFL player Jessie Lemonier #DiedSuddenly suddenly. I will post his vaccine status once confirmed.”
Another wrote: “Another 25 year old football player #jessielemonier dead… cardiovascular related incident but they are not releasing the ’cause of death’. WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO WAKE UP? #jab #questionthejab”
Lemonier joined the Chargers after going undrafted out of Liberty University in 2020. He appeared in six games with Los Angeles that season before being released the following year. Lemonier then signed with the Lions in 2021 and had 15 tackles in seven games, including two starts.
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