Jacques Cesaire life and biography

Jacques E. Cesaire (born August 30, 1980 in Gardner, Massachusetts) is an American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Southern Connecticut State.

Cesaire's Career

A part-time starter for most of his first six seasons in the league, Cesaire (SEE-zair) finally cracked the starting 11 full time in 2009 and made the most of his opportunity. He’s a versatile player who can defend the run or rush the passer from either side of the defensive line. Though born in Massachusetts, both of Cesaire’s parents emigrated to the U.S. from Haiti. When a 7.0 earthquake rocked the island nation on Jan. 12, it hit particularly close to home. Luckily, none of his family was harmed in the quake or its aftermath. Jacques is married to the former Jill Murray and the couple has a young daughter, Viviana, who was born in March 2009. The Cesaires work with the United Way in Jill's home-town of Groton, Connecticut, and in San Diego they oversee a nonprofit foundation that benefits the Monarch School for homeless teens. They also contribute to a Chargers program to help feed the city's homeless every Thursday night. In 2008, Jacques was presented with an award from the United Way for outstanding work in the community. One of Jacques' closest friends on the team is Quentin Jammer, who works with the San Pasqual Academy, a school that is very similar to the Monarch School. Last November, Cesaire and Jammer joined forces and hosted a charity bowling event to raise funds for the two schools. Cesaire’s interests include golf, bowling, basketball and shooting pool.


TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed with Chargers, May 2, 2003…re-signed March 24, 2005…signed five-year contract Feb. 13, 2006.

2009: Hit on QB Matt Cassel Oct. 25 at KC leads to INT by Paul Oliver...Game Ball following Nov. 8 win at NYG...first sack of season and crucial 2nd and 3rd down tackles near goal-line late in game to hold NY to FG and allow for GW TD drive...INA Weeks 1 (calf) and 15-16 (elbow).

2008: Key wedge-block during Darren Sproles' team-record-tying 103-yard KOR TD Wk 2 at DEN…Wk 10 at PIT, two 3rd-down sacks before leaving in 4Q (knee).

2007: Season-high 11 TTs Dec. 9 at TEN…1Q sack in Jan. 6 Wild Card vs. TEN.

2006: Took over Wk 1 for inj. Igor Olshansky (knee) in 1Q and started Wk 2 and Wks 6-7… 3Q FF Oct. 29 vs. STL recovered by Marlon McCree and returned 79 yards for TD and 21-7 lead…season-high two sacks, both on 3rd down, Nov. 5 vs. CLE…started Wks 9-13 for Luis Castillo (ankle)…led DL with nine tackles and two QB pressures in 35-27 win at DEN Nov. 19...despite battling flulike symptoms throughout Dec. 24 game in SEA, 1.5 sacks and TFL en route to being selected as Chargers Alumni POW…came out of ARI game Dec. 31 with left knee injury and did not return…INA for Playoff game vs. NE.

2005: Closed out 27-14 win at OAK Oct. 16 with 4Q five-yard sack vs. Kerry Collins…season-high seven TTs Dec. 31 vs. DEN.

2004: Season-high four tackles at CAR Oct. 24. 2003: First-career game at DET Dec. 7...12-yard sack vs. Lions negated by penalty.

COLLEGE: All-America by AFCA as senior...Northeast-10 Conference of Year…Cactus Bowl all-star…all-conference first-team as a junior…finished career with 206 TT, 54 TFL, 21 sacks and four FFs…played at SCSU from 1998-02...history and political science major.

PERSONAL: Born in Worcester, Massachusetts…lettered in football, basketball and track at Gardner (Mass.) HS…brother, Carmy, leading receiver at D-III Fitchburgh (Mass.) State in '04.

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