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Cleo Lemon
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Cleo Lemon
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Cleo Lemon Jr. (born August 16, 1979) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Arkansas State Red Wolves.[1] Lemon was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2001. He was also a member of the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, and Toronto Argonauts.

Key Information

Professional career

[edit]

Memphis Xplorers

[edit]

In February 2003, Lemon signed with the af2's Memphis Xplorers.[2]

San Diego Chargers

[edit]

Lemon was signed by the San Diego Chargers on April 4, 2003. He was waived prior to the start of the season, then re-signed to the Chargers' practice squad where he spent the entire 2003 season.

Lemon was re-signed by the Chargers on January 12, 2004. In preseason, Lemon completed 17 of 27 passes (63.0%) for 178 yards and one interception. After a contract holdout by Philip Rivers forced the first-round pick to miss most of training camp, Lemon was able to make the team as the No. 3 quarterback behind Drew Brees and Doug Flutie. He was inactive for all 16 regular season games and Wild Card playoff contest.

In the 2005 preseason with San Diego, Lemon completed 34 of 49 passes (69.4%) for 369 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 111.7. He served as the team's third-string quarterback until October 18, 2005, when he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for quarterback A. J. Feeley and a sixth-round draft choice in 2006.

Miami Dolphins

[edit]

Lemon was inactive as the third quarterback for all 11 games with the Dolphins in 2005.

In the 2006 preseason, Lemon was 42–59 for 450 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a rating of 104.5. In his start on August 31 against the St. Louis Rams, he was 21–27 for 271 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions for a rating of 120.8. Lemon served as the third-string quarterback for the first four games of 2006, and became the primary backup after Daunte Culpepper became inactive starting Week 5.

On December 17 in a game against the Buffalo Bills, Lemon replaced starter Joey Harrington and threw for 98 yards on 9 of 16 passing with no touchdowns and no interceptions. While Harrington started the following week, Lemon replaced him at halftime eight days later versus the New York Jets. He finished the game 11 of 16 passing for 104 yards (68.8%) and one touchdown, earning a 107.3 passer rating. However, he could not lead the Dolphins to victory as the Jets won on a last-minute field goal.

After a career as a backup, Lemon started the first regular season game of his career in the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts on December 31. Lemon played fairly well against the eventual Super Bowl champions, completing 18 of 36 passes for 210 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He also led the team to 10 fourth-quarter points as the Dolphins fell just short, losing 27–22.

Lemon, who was a restricted free agent in the 2007 offseason, was tendered a one-year, $1.3 million contract by the Dolphins on March 3. He signed the tender on May 29. New head coach Cam Cameron was offensive coordinator for the Chargers during Lemon's entire tenure there.

With Joey Harrington moving on to the Atlanta Falcons, Lemon became backup to the newly acquired Trent Green. With an injury to Green in Week 5, Lemon was named the starter for the Dolphins' away game against Cleveland. After shaking off some early rust, Lemon led the Dolphins to near victory against the Browns with several successful drives (including a drive where the Dolphins lost 20 yards on penalties that was capped with a 4th and 1 touchdown). Showing amazing determination, Lemon brought victory within their grasp, with his two touchdown rushes, two touchdown passes, and an impressive 107.3 QB rating, but the Dolphins' defense could not stop the Browns. His next start was in Miami's 49–28 loss to New England, going 24 for 37, with 1 rushing touchdown and 236 passing yards. But in Week 11, Lemon was replaced by rookie quarterback John Beck. Lemon was renamed the Dolphins' starting Quarterback in Week 15 against the Ravens. He threw a game-winning touchdown to Greg Camarillo in overtime to beat Baltimore, 22–16, giving Miami their first (and only) win of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]

On February 29, 2008, Lemon signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The three-year deal was worth just under $9 million.[3] He played in only two games and missed in both pass attempts in his first season with the Jaguars.[4]

He was released on June 17, 2009, after struggling to pick up the Jaguars' system.[5]

Baltimore Ravens (second stint)

[edit]

After originally joining the Baltimore Ravens as a street free agent in 2002, Lemon re-signed with Baltimore on August 16, 2009. The move reunited him with Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, whom Lemon had previously played for with both the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins. He was waived on September 1 because of family issues.[6]

Toronto Argonauts

[edit]

On March 17, 2010, Lemon signed with the Toronto Argonauts.[7] On June 22, Lemon was named the starting quarterback of the Argonauts.

With him at the helm, Toronto returned to the playoffs in 2010 after a three-year absence with a 9–9 record, though his individual stats were not overly impressive.

On September 6, 2011, Lemon was released by the Argonauts after the team went just 2–6 with him under center up to that point in the 2011 season.[8]

Career statistics

[edit]
Cleo Lemon CFL and NFL career statistics
Year Team Games Passing Rushing Fumbles
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD Fum Lost
2006 MIA 4 1 38 68 55.9 412 6.1 2 1 77.6 3 7 2.3 0 0 0
2007 MIA 9 7 173 309 56.0 1,773 5.7 6 6 71.0 31 102 3.3 4 7 3
2008 JAX 2 0 0 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 39.6 2 −3 −1.5 0 0 0
2010 TOR 17 17 285 462 61.7 3,433 7.4 15 19 78.1 39 274 7.0 2 13 —
2011 TOR 8 8 145 218 66.5 1,636 7.5 7 4 91.8 12 102 8.5 2 4 —
NFL totals 15 8 211 379 55.7 2,185 5.8 8 7 71.8 36 106 2.9 4 7 3
CFL totals 25 25 430 680 63.2 5,069 7.5 22 23 82.5 51 376 7.4 4 17 —

Personal life

[edit]

His father, Cleo Lemon Sr. served as his high school football coach.[9]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cleo Lemon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cleo Lemon Jr. (born August 16, 1979) is an American former professional football who played in the () from 2003 to 2009, primarily as a backup, and later in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He appeared in 15 NFL games, completing 211 of 379 passes for 2,185 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while also rushing for four touchdowns. Undrafted out of college, Lemon signed with the as a in 2001 before joining the ' practice squad in 2003, where he spent time until being traded to the in 2005. His most notable playing time came in 2007 with the Dolphins, starting seven games and going 1-6 with 1,773 passing yards and six touchdowns. At , Lemon was a four-year starter from 1997 to 2000, setting school records for passing attempts (1,128), completions (551), yards (7,706), and touchdown passes (48), achievements that earned him induction into the Arkansas State Hall of Honor in 2022. These marks underscored his development as a prolific pocket passer in the NCAA Division I-AA, where he led the Red Wolves in every season despite the team's modest overall success. His performance highlighted strong arm strength and accuracy, traits that carried into his aspirations despite going undrafted in 2001. After his NFL stint with the Chargers, Dolphins, and —where he signed in 2008—Lemon continued his playing career in the CFL with the from 2010 to 2011, completing 430 of 680 passes for 5,069 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. He also appeared in leagues briefly. Post-retirement, Lemon transitioned into coaching, serving as wide receivers coach and later quarterbacks coach at from 2017 to at least 2018, contributing to titles and player development. Earlier roles included at in 2016 and internships with NFL teams like the and . By the mid-2020s, he had shifted toward business roles, including a position at .

Early life and education

Early life and family

Cleo Lemon Jr. was born on August 16, 1979, in , a small city in the heart of the region. He was raised by his father, Cleo Lemon Sr., who worked as a high school teacher and coach in the local community, including roles as the football and basketball coach at Greenwood High School, and his mother, with whom he shared interests like using computers. Lemon grew up alongside his sisters in a family environment that emphasized close-knit relationships and everyday activities such as playing with his father. From an early age, Lemon was exposed to sports through his father's coaching involvement, participating in youth football and activities that fostered his initial passion for athletics. His upbringing in Greenwood occurred amid a cultural context of strong community ties and a focus on educational values, shaped by the Delta's history of agricultural roots and efforts to overcome socioeconomic challenges like and limited opportunities for African American families.

High school career

Cleo Lemon attended in , where he played for the football team coached by his father, Cleo Lemon Sr.. A , Lemon experienced significant growth in his athletic development during high school, particularly in his senior year, which showcased his potential as a passer and leader on a smaller-school program. Despite the challenges of emerging from a less prominent high school, his performances earned recruitment interest from college programs, though major in-state schools like Ole Miss and Mississippi State passed on him. He initially committed to Southern Miss on a offer, but after it was rescinded, Lemon signed with to continue his football career.

College career

Cleo Lemon enrolled at in 1997 and played for the Red Wolves as a from 1997 to 2000. Following a successful high school career that drew recruitment interest, he quickly established himself as the starting . Over his four seasons, Lemon started every game he appeared in, totaling 41 contests and demonstrating consistent leadership on the field. Lemon's statistical dominance made him one of the most productive passers in Arkansas State history. He finished his career ranked first in school records for passing yards (7,706), completions (551 of 1,128 attempts), and passes (48), while throwing 33 interceptions. His completion percentage stood at 48.8%, with a career of 114.5. In 1998, his sophomore year, Lemon had a breakout season, leading the team with 2,721 passing yards and 14 s, setting personal highs in both categories. The following year in 1999, as a junior in the , he topped the league with 15 passes while accumulating 1,569 yards. In his senior season of 2000, Lemon threw for 1,964 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, achieving a career-best of 119.9 and leading the Big West in completion percentage at 56.5%. Throughout his tenure, he showed marked improvement in accuracy and decision-making, reducing interceptions in his later years and enhancing his overall efficiency. These developments prepared him for professional football, though he went undrafted in the amid concerns over his footwork, blitz recognition, and arm strength rather than his production. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and 218 pounds, Lemon's physical profile was adequate but not elite, contributing to evaluators' reservations about his pro transition.

Professional playing career

After going undrafted in the 2001 NFL Draft following his college career at Arkansas State, Cleo Lemon signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent. He was released in August 2001 and later signed with the Baltimore Ravens in January 2002, attending their training camp before being allocated to NFL Europe, where he joined the practice squad of the Berlin Thunder. Released by the Ravens in August 2002, Lemon signed with the Memphis Xplorers of the Arena Football 2 (af2) league on February 27, 2003, marking his entry into professional football. This move came after previous attempts to secure an NFL roster spot. As a quarterback, Lemon joined the Xplorers during their preseason preparations, providing him with his first paid professional experience in the developmental indoor league. Lemon served primarily as a backup during the Xplorers' training camp, which began on March 18, 2003, allowing him to adapt to the unique demands of arena football, such as its fast-paced, high-scoring environment on a smaller field with rebounding walls. His role focused on practice repetitions and contributing to team development, helping to build his professional resume while keeping his skills sharp amid limited opportunities at the NFL level. The stint emphasized his strong arm and mobility, traits highlighted by the team's offensive coordinator as assets for the indoor format. Lemon's time with the Xplorers was brief, as he transitioned out of on April 1, 2003, after signing a contract with the of the following a workout. This short professional debut in kept him active and visible to scouts, paving the way for his subsequent pursuits just before the Xplorers' regular season home opener on April 12, 2003.

San Diego Chargers

Lemon signed with the as an undrafted on April 4, 2003, following his stint in the league with the Memphis Xplorers. He was waived on August 31, 2003, prior to the regular season but re-signed to the team's on September 2, 2003, where he remained for the entire 2003 campaign. On January 12, 2004, Lemon was promoted to the active roster as the fourth-string behind , , and . In this role, he focused on scout team duties, simulating opposing offenses during practices to aid the starting unit's preparation. Lemon benefited from the dynamic, learning professional play-calling, footwork, and decision-making from Brees and his teammates, which helped refine his skills amid limited on-field opportunities. Entering the 2005 season, Lemon advanced to third-string quarterback after the Chargers released Flutie in March. He continued in a developmental capacity, readying for potential emergency activation while contributing to practice simulations, though he saw no regular-season action during his Chargers tenure and recorded no NFL passing attempts. On October 18, 2005, the Chargers traded Lemon to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for quarterback A.J. Feeley and a sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, providing him an avenue for increased playing time elsewhere.

Miami Dolphins

Lemon was acquired by the Miami Dolphins via trade from the San Diego Chargers on October 18, 2005, in exchange for quarterback A.J. Feeley and a sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Prior to the trade, he had spent time on the Chargers' practice squad. During his initial tenure with Miami, Lemon primarily served as the third-string quarterback behind Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels in 2005, transitioning to a backup role in 2006 where he appeared in four games, including his first career NFL start in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts, completing 38 of 68 passes for 412 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. In the 2007 season, Lemon's role expanded significantly after starting Trent Green suffered a season-ending in Week 5, prompting a quarterback competition that included rookie John Beck. He appeared in nine games overall, starting seven, and finished with 1,773 passing yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions, while adding 102 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Lemon's starts were part of a turbulent quarterback amid the Dolphins' rebuild under first-year head coach , as the team endured a league-worst 1-15 record. A career highlight came on December 16, 2007, when Lemon engineered the Dolphins' lone victory, a 22-16 win over the , capped by his 64-yard touchdown pass to on the first play of . Despite this moment, Lemon struggled with turnovers and consistency during the season's challenges. Following the Dolphins' dismal campaign and Cameron's firing on January 3, 2008, Lemon entered unrestricted free agency and left the team.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Following his release from the , Cleo Lemon signed with the on February 29, 2008, as an unrestricted to serve as the backup to on a three-year worth just under $9 million. In the 2008 season, Lemon appeared in two games for the , who finished with a 5–11 record. He completed zero of two pass attempts for no yards, while rushing twice for a loss of three yards. Lemon was released by the Jaguars on June 17, 2009, ahead of the regular season. Lemon's tenure provided quarterback depth in the competitive , where the Jaguars competed against rivals like the and .

Baltimore Ravens

In August 2009, following third-string quarterback John Beck's shoulder injury during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins, the signed veteran Cleo Lemon to bolster their quarterback depth. Lemon, who had been released by the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier that offseason, rejoined the Ravens organization, which he had previously signed with in 2002 after his initial undrafted free agent stint with the . As a backup to starter Joe Flacco, Lemon did not appear in any regular-season or postseason games during his brief tenure. His role was limited to training camp and preseason practices, providing emergency depth amid uncertainties with the quarterback group. The Ravens, who finished the 2009 season with a 9–7 record and advanced to the playoffs, waived Lemon on September 1 as part of final roster cuts to reach the league-mandated limit. This short-lived opportunity marked a temporary revival of Lemon's career after his departure from Jacksonville, preceding his transition to the Canadian Football League.

Toronto Argonauts

After being released by the , Cleo Lemon signed with the of the Canadian Football League on March 17, 2010. He was named the team's starting ahead of the 2010 season opener on June 22, 2010. Lemon's addition was seen as a boost due to his experience and strong arm, which head coach noted would help him adapt to the CFL's wider field and longer passes. In 2010, Lemon started 16 of 18 regular-season games, completing 285 of 474 passes for 3,433 yards, 15 , and 19 . His performance helped finish with a 9–9 record, securing third place in the East Division and a playoff berth—the team's first winning season and postseason appearance since 2007. In the East Division semifinal on November 15, defeated the 16–13, with Lemon contributing to a defense-heavy victory marked by turnovers. ' run ended in the East Division final on November 21, where they lost 41–6 to the Montreal Alouettes; Lemon completed 20 of 35 passes for 200 yards, one , and one in the defeat. The 2011 season began with Lemon as the starter, but it was derailed by injuries, including nerve damage to a from a helmet-to-helmet hit in July. He appeared in nine games, starting eight, and threw for 1,636 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions while posting a 2–6 record as a starter. Lemon was released by the on September 6, 2011, after being pulled midway through a loss to the B.C. Lions. Lemon's two seasons in provided stability at during a period of frequent changes for the franchise, starting 25 regular-season games overall and leading the team to its only playoff appearance in that span. His arm strength was particularly effective in the CFL's rules, allowing for deep throws that opened up the offense despite the team's overall passing struggles.

Coaching career

Pearl River Community College

Cleo Lemon entered coaching following the conclusion of his professional playing career with the in the Canadian Football League. In 2016, he joined as the for the Wildcats , marking his first full-time coaching position after retiring from professional football. As , Lemon designed the team's offensive schemes and coached the and wide receivers, drawing on his experience as a former quarterback to guide the unit. Under his coordination, the Wildcats averaged 23.3 points per game and accumulated 2,891 total offensive yards over nine games during the 2016 season, which ended with a 2-7 overall record and a 2-4 mark in the MACJC South Division. Lemon's tenure at Pearl River provided him with hands-on experience in play-calling and player development at the level, serving as a foundational step in his progression. He departed the program in 2017 to accept a position at the Division I level.

Jacksonville State University

Cleo Lemon was hired as the wide receivers coach at in May 2017, bringing his experience from professional playing and prior roles to the Gamecocks' staff. In this position, he focused on recruiting and developing wide receivers while contributing to the offensive scheme under John Grass, helping the team maintain its competitive edge in the during his tenure from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, Lemon transitioned to quarterbacks coach, a role he held until after the 2020 season alongside duties as assistant offensive coordinator, adapting his expertise from his NFL quarterback background to mentor signal-callers and enhance passing game efficiency. His coaching has directly impacted standout performers, such as wide receiver Josh Pearson, whom he guided to First-Team All-American honors by the Associated Press in 2018 after a season with 67 receptions for 1,123 yards and 17 touchdowns, contributing to Jacksonville State's top-ranked scoring offense in the Ohio Valley Conference. Under Lemon's influence on the passing attack, the Gamecocks achieved notable team success, including a 10-2 record and FCS playoff appearance in 2017, as well as bowl eligibility in subsequent seasons. In 2019, Lemon gained additional NFL exposure through participation in the New Orleans Saints' training camp activities, including a quarterback challenge alongside Drew Brees, which enriched his coaching perspective on professional-level techniques.

Career statistics and achievements

NFL statistics

Cleo Lemon appeared in 15 regular season games in the () from 2006 to 2008, primarily serving as a backup with eight starts across his tenure with the and . Signed by the as an undrafted in 2003, he remained with the team through 2005 on the practice squad and roster but did not play in any regular season games during those seasons. Lemon joined the in 2008 and was briefly with the and in 2009, but recorded no game appearances in the latter year. Over his NFL career, Lemon completed 211 of 379 passes for 2,185 yards, with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, achieving a completion percentage of 55.7% and a of 71.9. He was sacked 30 times for a loss of 190 yards and fumbled the ball seven times on passing plays. In rushing, Lemon carried the ball 36 times for 106 yards and four touchdowns, while fumbling seven times. His limited starting opportunities reflected his role as a depth chart option behind established quarterbacks on each team.

Passing Statistics

The following table summarizes Lemon's regular season passing statistics by season and team:
SeasonTeamGames PlayedGames StartedCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTouchdownsInterceptionsSacksSack Yards LostFumbles
2004SD0000—000—000
2005SD0000—000—000
2006MIA41386855.94122177.65240
2007MIA9717330956.01,7736671.0251667
2008JAX20020.000039.6000
2009JAX/BAL0000—000—000
Career—15821137955.72,1858771.9301907
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

Rushing Statistics

Lemon's rushing contributions were modest but notable in 2007, where he scored all four of his career rushing touchdowns. The table below details his regular season rushing by season and team:
SeasonTeamGames PlayedAttemptsYardsYards per AttemptTouchdownsFumbles
2004SD000—00
2005SD000—00
2006MIA4372.300
2007MIA9311023.347
2008JAX22-3-1.500
2009JAX/BAL000—00
Career—15361062.947
Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

CFL statistics

Cleo Lemon played two seasons with the in the Canadian Football League (CFL), appearing in 27 regular season games and 2 playoff games from to 2011. Over his CFL regular season career, he completed 430 of 680 passes for 5,069 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions, achieving a 63.2% completion rate. His performance varied significantly between seasons. In 2010, Lemon started all 18 regular-season games, passing for 3,433 yards on 285 completions out of 462 attempts (61.7% completion), with 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, while posting a of 78.1. The following year, limited by injury and competition, he appeared in 9 regular-season games with 8 starts, completing 145 of 218 passes (66.5%) for 1,636 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, earning a higher of 91.8.
YearTeamGamesStartsCompAtt%YardsTDINTRating
2010TOR181828546261.73,433151978.1
2011TOR9814521866.51,6367491.8
Career272643068063.25,069222382.5
In the 2010 playoffs, Lemon started both postseason games for , including a 16-13 upset win over the in the Eastern Semi-Final where he went 22-of-29 for 134 yards and 1 touchdown. The advanced to the Eastern Final but fell to the Alouettes. Lemon also contributed modestly on the ground, rushing 51 times for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns across his CFL tenure, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. His mobility added a dual-threat element, particularly in 2010 when he gained 274 yards on 39 carries. Lemon's higher passing yardage in the CFL compared to his output stemmed from league differences, such as a longer 110-yard field, wider 65-yard sidelines, and three downs per possession, which encouraged more passing attempts and aerial production.

College statistics and honors

Cleo Lemon played as the starting quarterback for the from 1997 to 2000, appearing in 41 games over four seasons and establishing himself as one of the program's most prolific passers. His development during this period was marked by steady improvement in efficiency and volume, culminating in career totals that highlighted his arm strength and decision-making under pressure. Lemon's tenure helped lay the foundation for his professional aspirations, though the team struggled with an 11-34 overall record during his four college seasons. Lemon's passing statistics reflect his role as a high-volume in an era of run-heavy offenses and independent/ play. Over his career, he completed 551 of 1,128 attempts (48.8% completion rate) for 7,706 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions. His best season came in 1998 as an independent, when he threw for 2,721 yards and 14 touchdowns across 12 games, showcasing his peak production before conference realignment. The following year in the (1999), he added 1,569 yards and a team-high 15 touchdowns in 10 games, while his senior year (2000) saw improved accuracy at 56.5% completion for 1,964 yards and 13 touchdowns. These figures positioned him as the offensive focal point, often carrying the passing load in games against stronger opponents.
YearGamesCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTouchdownsInterceptions
199789020543.91,45268
19981218338747.32,7211410
19991010523045.71,569158
20001117330656.51,964137
Career415511,12848.87,7064833
Source: Sports-Reference.com In addition to passing, Lemon contributed as a runner, recording 201 carries for a net -445 yards (impacted by sacks) and 3 rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his willingness to extend plays despite the physical toll. His dual-threat capability added versatility to State's attack, though the negative net yardage underscores the challenges faced by mobile quarterbacks in that defensive era. Lemon's honors underscore his impact on the program. Upon graduation, he held Arkansas State school records for career passing attempts (1,128), yards (7,706), completions (551), and touchdowns (48), marks that stood for over a decade and ranked him among the top three in those categories as of 2025. In recognition of these achievements, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2022, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in Red Wolves football history.

Arena football statistics

Lemon briefly played arena football for the Memphis Xplorers of the af2 league in 2002 and 2003. In limited action, he appeared in 4 games, completing 15 of 32 passes for 198 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while rushing for 45 yards and 1 touchdown. These stats reflect his early professional experience before transitioning to the .

Personal life

Family

Cleo Lemon Jr. was born in , where he played for his father, Cleo Lemon Sr., at Greenwood High School. Lemon is married to Cherese Lemon, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Madison, in early 2010. By 2011, Cherese and Madison had relocated with Lemon to support his professional commitments abroad.

Philanthropy and community involvement

Following his professional football career, Cleo Lemon earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida in 2014. This achievement reflected his commitment to personal development and community leadership, enabling him to transition into roles focused on youth mentorship and education. As president of the NFL Alumni Jacksonville Chapter, Lemon has led initiatives that support local charities, as part of the national organization's efforts that raise more than $1 million annually for community causes. In this capacity, he has participated in events such as motivational speeches to high school football teams, including one delivered to St. Joseph's Academy in 2022, emphasizing perseverance and goal-setting. Additionally, he has supported Youth of America Month activities, collaborating with former NFL cheerleaders to engage young people in Jacksonville. Lemon's community involvement extends to direct with at-risk , including a 2017 visit to the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where he shared experiences from his NFL journey to inspire residents. While serving as quarterbacks coach at High School in Jacksonville, he organized football camps to develop skills and promote positive values among underprivileged athletes in the area. He has also contributed to the Player Care Foundation's career transition programs, highlighting how they allowed him to give back to his community post-retirement. In 2025, Lemon joined other legends for the ' annual Rookie and Legends dinner and programming at the Miller Electric Center, fostering connections between current players and community representatives to support youth development. These efforts underscore his ongoing dedication to education, , and charitable impact in Jacksonville, drawing from his roots in and .

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LemoCl00.htm
  2. https://www.nfl.com/players/cleo-lemon/
  3. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5051/cleo-lemon
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  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cleo-lemon-1.html
  6. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/l/lemo00370.html
  7. https://www.argonauts.ca/2011/09/03/argos-release-cleo-lemon/
  8. https://jaxstatesports.com/news/2017/5/12/football-gamecocks-hire-cleo-lemon-as-wide-receivers-coach
  9. https://jaxstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/cleo-lemon/612
  10. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cleo-lemon-a3183742
  11. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/5051/cleo-lemon
  12. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/08/11/profile-cleo-lemon/
  13. https://www.usccr.gov/files/pubs/msdelta/ch2.htm
  14. https://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/leflore-county/
  15. https://www.jaguars.com/news/lemon-finally-arrives-5840596
  16. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2001/profile/cleotha_lemon.html
  17. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/xplorers-sign-former-nfl-qb-and-protectors/n-1986814
  18. https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/xplorers-lose-lemon-to-nfl-qb-signs-with-san-diego-chargers/n-1990048
  19. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2005/10/19/feeley-traded-for-a-lemon/
  20. https://www.chargers.com/news/drew-brees-reminisces-about-return-to-san-diego-138636
  21. https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/sports/2005/03/12/chargers-drop-flutie/41349448007/
  22. https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2005/10/19/dolphins-chargers-swap-third-string-qbs/31463702007/
  23. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LemoCl00/gamelog/2006
  24. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LemoCl00/gamelog/2007
  25. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/2007.htm
  26. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200712160mia.htm
  27. https://pro-football-history.com/coach/51/cam-cameron-bio
  28. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/4159/cleo-lemon
  29. https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-lemon-5844941
  30. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2008.htm
  31. https://www.news4jax.com/news/2009/06/17/jaguars-squeeze-qb-lemon-out-of-lineup/
  32. https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-adding-depth-at-quarterback-7743871
  33. https://www.espn.co.uk/nfl/news/story?id=4402720
  34. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nfl-lemon/ravens-waive-quarterback-lemon-idUSTRE58061820090901/
  35. https://www.cfl.ca/2010/03/17/argos-bring-in-some-lemon-aid/
  36. https://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/argos-lemon-4/
  37. https://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/argos-lemon-5/
  38. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/lemon-gets-first-qb-shot-with-argos/article583879/
  39. https://www.statscrew.com/football/results/t-CFLTOR/y-2010
  40. https://www.profootballarchives.com/2010cfltor.html
  41. https://www.argonauts.ca/2010/11/21/recap-argos-als/
  42. https://www.kait8.com/story/15136334/asu-alum-c/
  43. https://www.guelphmercury.com/news/argos-qb-cleo-lemon-played-with-a-torn-ligament-in-his-pinky-finger/article_68d0c1cf-fd41-5385-82e2-238f1b2c68dc.html
  44. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/argos-drop-quarterback-cleo-lemon-1.1000012
  45. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/2011/09/07/qb-cleos-a-lemon-argonauts-conclude
  46. https://www.cfl.ca/2010/11/23/alter-argos-have-come-a-long-way/
  47. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/PRCC-Alumni-Association---Development-Foundation-E-Newsletter.html?soid=1121448818104&aid=5HdvZqJB1zI
  48. https://www.prccathletics.com/sports/fball/2016-17/schedule
  49. https://prccathletics.com/sports/fball/2016-17/teams/pearlrivercommunitycollege?view=splits&pos=def
  50. http://www.sunherald.com/sports/high-school/article155939624.html
  51. https://apnews.com/article/nfl-super-bowl-cleo-lemon-football-coronavirus-pandemic-100aeae6b3a32699ac6fb1c612a8c6eb
  52. https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/jsu/jsu-football-autry-pearson-bridges-make-ap-all-america-team/article_072c5b1c-fd8b-11e8-bcdb-f334b1378d5a.html
  53. https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/07/28/saints-quarterbacks-challenge-training-camp-news-drew-brees-cleo-lemon-nfl/
  54. https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-lemoncle001
  55. https://www.cfl.ca/2010/11/16/plenty-of-surprises-from-semi-final-weekend/
  56. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arkansas-state/index.html
  57. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/quarterback-lemons-rise-gives-hapless-argonauts-hope/article590750/
  58. https://www.unf.edu/udae/news/alumni-spotlights-archive.html
  59. https://www.nflalumni.org/chapter/jacksonville/
  60. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChiAd3aFe6R/
  61. https://www.facebook.com/NFLAlumniCheerleadersJacksonville/videos/nfl-alumni-jacksonville-player-cleo-lemon-jr-cheerleaders-donna-windsor-melissa-/340862218166307/
  62. https://www.djj.state.fl.us/news/djj-weekly-letter/2017/jun-27-2017
  63. https://www.nflplayercare.com/media/ycvef2qf/2021-nfl-player-care-foundation-annual-report-pdf.pdf
  64. https://www.jaguars.com/photos/k000295-2025-jaguars-and-legends-rookie-programming-at-miller-electric-center
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