Jessie Lemonier played for the Los Angeles Chargers.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
(CNN) --
Jessie Lemonier, a former Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers player, died Thursday at age 25, according to a Lions statement.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lions player Jessie Lemonier,” the team said on Twitter.
“Jessie was a model teammate and a wonderful young man gone too soon.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time."
University of Georgia football player dies along with a companion
The Chargers also paid tribute to Lemonier, saying he was "gone too soon."
"Our hearts go out to Jessie's family, friends and loved ones," the team wrote on Twitter.
The Lions did not provide details on the cause of death.
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Born in Hialeah, Florida, Lemonier had played college football at Liberty University before entering the 2020 NFL draft. He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent shortly thereafter.
After being cut, Lemonier was signed by the team's practice squad before being elevated to their active player list weeks later.
During his time with Los Angeles, he appeared in six games, making two tackles before being cut.
He spent the 2021 season with the Lions, a team with which he played seven games, two starts, with a total of 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Last summer, he had been on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, recording a sack in a preseason game, before being released.
Lemonier had been drafted by the XFL's Arlington Renegades in November last year, but earlier this month, he signed with the Houston Gamblers in the American Football League before being traded to the Birmingham Stallions.
His agent, Drew Smith, told ESPN that Lemonier was expecting a child with his girlfriend.
