Ventura College football alumnus Jessie Lemonier '17 passed away Wednesday at the age of 25. The 2017 Southern California Football Association Northern Conference Defensive player of the year transferred from VC to Liberty University in Virginia before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. He played six games with the Chargers that season and appeared in seven games with the Detroit Lions in 2021. No further details about Lemonier's death were given.
"We're deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our former player Jessie Lemonier who passed away today," said VC head coach Steve Mooshagian in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Jessie was a three-year player for us and a great young man. This loss will hurt for a long time and he will be forever missed."
"I was so proud of the man he became," said Mooshagian. "He spent three years at VC (2015-17) going through a lot of adversity including the loss of his mother. He never backed down. He came back and was the conference Defensive Player of the Year, finished his AA degree and received a full athletic scholarship to Liberty University."
Lemonier, a native of Hialeah, Fla., led the Pirates with 79 tackles, 36 solo, and 8.5 sacks in earning conference Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2017. He also had 17.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one interception in helping lead the Pirates to an 8-3 record, including a 5-0 mark in the SCFA Northern Conference. VC advanced to the SCFA playoffs that season.
As a freshman in 2015, Lemonier recorded 33 stops, 11 solo, with 2.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss. Ventura tied for the conference title that season, going 8-3 overall, including a Beach Bowl title, and 5-1 in Northern Conference play.
Lemonier transferred to Liberty University after his career at VC, helping the Flames make the transition from the FCS to the FBS level during his two seasons (2018-19). He capped off his career at Liberty by earning MVP honors in the 2019 Cure Bowl, helping the Flames secure their first-ever bowl game victory. The senior finished the bowl game with eight tackles, including two sacks. Lemonier ended his career for the Flames with 20.5 sacks, which ranked third at the time in program history. During his two-year Liberty career, Lemonier ranked third among FBS players nationally in total sacks recorded during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
"The Liberty Athletics family is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former Flames football great Jessie Lemonier," the Lynchburg, Virginia school said in a statement. "Jessie was loved by Flames Nation for being a fierce competitor on the gridiron and cherished by his coaches and teammates in the locker room."
— Liberty Football (@LibertyFootball) January 26, 2023
Reaction was swift from Lemonier's former NFL teams.
"Jessie was a model teammate and a wonderful young man who is gone far too soon," the Lions said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 26, 2023
The official Los Angeles Chargers Twitter tweeted out a statement, "gone too soon. our hearts are with jessie's family, friends and loved ones".
gone too soon.
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 26, 2023
our hearts are with jessie's family, friends and loved ones �� pic.twitter.com/v7Egt6p8va
"Our Athletic Department and Campus are saddened by the loss of Jessie Lemonier." said VC Athletic Director Jimmy Walker. "He was a true Pirate Student Athlete on and off the field. Even after transferring to Liberty and playing in the NFL, Jessie was always available to our VC Football players and the Athletic Department to tell his story and give advice to our student athletes. Jessie will be sorely missed."