Former Detroit Lions LB Jessie Lemonier Dead at 25
Former NFL linebacker Jessie Lemonier has passed away at 25, the Detroit Lions confirmed Thursday (Jan. 25).
No word yet on what caused Lemonier’s death. He was set to play for the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions this spring after he was traded from the Houston Gamblers late last year. The XFL’s Arlington Renegades also drafted Lemonier last fall.
The Lions issued this statement: “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.”
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 26, 2023
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after being tackled by Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions lines up against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears scrambles while Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions pursues during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks onward during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 24: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions in action against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes to the field for the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes to the field for the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings tries to throw a pass around Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to the game acb at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after being tackled by Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions lines up against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears scrambles while Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions pursues during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 06: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a play against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ford Field on November 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks onward during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 13: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 20: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 24: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions in action against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Ford Field on November 24, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes to the field for the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes to the field for the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings tries to throw a pass around Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions is introduced prior to a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to the game acb at Ford Field on January 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)