Cleo Lemon — American football quarterback
Profile of Cleotha “Cleo” Lemon Jr., Arkansas State alumnus who played as a professional quarterback in the NFL with stops including the Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins and Jaguars.
Cleotha "Cleo" Lemon Jr. (born August 16, 1979) is an American football quarterback from Greenwood, Mississippi. He played collegiate football at Arkansas State, and his transition from college to the professional ranks led to a multi-year career in the NFL.
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2 ImagesEarly life and college
Lemon grew up in Mississippi and played high school football in his home state before enrolling at Arkansas State. During his time with the Red Wolves he developed the fundamentals and game experience that prepared him for professional opportunities. His college period is often noted in biographical references to his career and remains the primary collegiate affiliation cited for his playing background (college reference).
Professional career
Lemon entered the NFL in the early 2000s and spent time on several rosters, serving mainly as a reserve quarterback and occasional starter. Key stops included:
- Baltimore Ravens — the team that gave Lemon his first NFL opportunity in 2002.
- San Diego Chargers — a multi-season stint in the mid-2000s where he provided depth and competed for playing time.
- Miami Dolphins — appearances and roster roles through the 2007 season while contributing as a backup and spot starter.
- Jacksonville Jaguars — later roster involvement that continued his role as an experienced depth option.
Across these teams Lemon performed the duties typical of veteran backup quarterbacks: preparing the second-team offense, mentoring younger players, and stepping into regular-season action when needed. He appeared in preseason and regular-season games, helping teams manage injuries to starters and providing continuity in the quarterback room.
Playing style and role
As a professional, Lemon was recognized for his preparation, knowledge of offensive systems and ability to manage games. While he did not become a long-term franchise starter, his career exemplifies the importance of reliable backup quarterbacks who combine leadership, experience and situational competence to serve multiple teams over several seasons in the league.
Context and legacy
Lemon's path—from Arkansas State to multiple NFL rosters—reflects a common career arc for quarterbacks who sustain professional opportunities by adapting to changing team needs. General profiles and team media pages list his collegiate and NFL affiliations, and historical roster listings offer game-by-game context for his professional appearances. For team histories and broader coverage consult official team pages and league sources linked above.
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AlegsaOnline.com Cleo Lemon — American football quarterback Leandro Alegsa
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