Former NFL player and Liberty standout Jesse Lemonnier dies at 25

At 6 feet 2 inches and 240 pounds, NFL-listed Lemonnier was undrafted by Liberty in 2020 before signing with the Chargers. He appeared in six games for Los Angeles that year and signed with Detroit in 2021, appearing in seven games in two starts. Lemonnier was released by the Lions this past May and landed with the Arizona Cardinals, releasing him in training camp.

‘Jesse was an exemplary teammate and a great young man who left too soon,’ said Lyons Said“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

In November, Lemonnier was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL, but chose to join the USFL instead.

The USFL, like the Lyons (via WBRC), said it was “shocked and saddened” by Lemonnier’s death.

The Birmingham-based league said: “He was a talented footballer and a wonderful person in every way. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Lemonnier’s agent told ESPN the player and his girlfriend are expecting a child. After a four-year NFL career, he moved to the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and New York Jets.

Originally from Hialeah, Florida, Jesse Lemonnier transferred to Liberty after spending one season at the University of Ventura (California). During his two seasons with the Flames, football completed the transition from his Championship subdivision to the Football Bowl subdivision, Lemonnier helped the program reach the first bowl his game. He was named his MVP for that contest, the 2019 Cure Bowl, after he recorded eight tackles and his two sacks in a win over Georgia Southern.

A school in Lynchburg, Virginia said, “The Liberty Athletics family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Flames football great Jesse Lemonnier. Said in a statement. “Jesse was loved by the Flames Nation as a fierce competitor in football and loved by coaches and teammates in the locker room.”