Players

The Chargers retained a key piece of their defensive line when Cesaire opted to re-sign a two-year deal to remain with the Chargers. A starter for all 16 games for the first time in his career in 2010, Cesaire helped the Chargers lead the NFL in total defense and rank fourth against the run. Now he’ll be tasked with a new challenge as Cesaire will help groom the Chargers’ top choice in the 2011 NFL Draft, fellow defensive end Corey Liuget.

Undeterred by the fact that Liuget is projected to start over Cesaire, the ninth year veteran reached out to the rookie immediately after the draft and even offered to open his home to the young protege.

This past offseason while the NFL was in the midst of a work stoppage, Cesaire went back and finished the necessary classwork to earn his degree in liberal studies from Southern Connecticut State. And in May, he returned to the New Haven, Conn. campus and took part in the school’s commencement ceremonies.

Cesaire was born in Massachusetts, but his parents emigrated to the United State from Haiti. When a 7.0 earthquake rocked the island nation in Jan. 2010, it hit particularly close to home. Luckily, no members of the Cesaire family were 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 hometown 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. The last two years, Cesaire and Jammer have partnered to host a charity bowling event to raise funds for the two schools.

TRANSACTION HISTORY: Signed with Chargers, May 2, 2003…re-signed March 24, 2005…signed five-year contract Feb. 13, 2006 and two-year contract, July 30, 2011.

2010: Season-high six tackles, including one for loss, in Nov. 7 win at Houston...two tackles for loss each vs. Jacksonville Sept. 19, at St. Louis Oct. 17 and Dec. 26 at Cincinnati.

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 Giants to field goal and allow for game-winning touchdown drive...inactive Weeks 1 (calf) and 15-16 (elbow).

2008: Key wedge-block during Darren Sproles’ team-record-tying 103-yard kickoff return touchdown Week 2 at Denver…Week 10 at Pittsburgh, two 3rd-down sacks before leaving in fourth quarter (knee).

2007: Season-high 11 tackles Dec. 9 at Tennessee…first-quarter sack in Jan. 6 Wild Card vs. Tennessee.

2006: Took over Week 1 for injured Igor Olshansky (knee) in first quarter and started Week 2 and Weeks 6-7…third quarter forced fumble Oct. 29 vs. St. Louis recovered by Marlon McCree and returned 79 yards for touchdown and 21-7 lead…season-high two sacks, both on 3rd down, Nov. 5 vs. Cleveland…started Weeks 9-13 for Luis Castillo (ankle)…led defensive line with nine tackles and two quarterback pressures in 35-27 win at Denver Nov. 19...despite battling flu-like symptoms throughout Dec. 24 game in Seattle, 1.5 sacks and tackle for loss en route to being selected as Chargers Alumni Player of Week…came out of Arizona game Dec. 31 with left knee injury and did not return…inactive for playoff game vs. New England.

2005: Closed out 27-14 win at Oakland Oct. 16 with fourth-quarter five-yard sack vs. Kerry Collins …season-high seven tackles Dec. 31 vs. Denver.

2004: Season-high four tackles at Carolina Oct. 24.

2003: First-career game at DET Dec. 7...12-yard sack vs. Lions negated by penalty.

COLLEGE: All-America by American Football Coaches Association as senior...Northeast-10 Conference Defensive Lineman of Year…Cactus Bowl All-Star…all-conference first-team as junior…finished career with 206 tackles, 54 for loss, 21 sacks and four forced fumbles…played at Southern Connecticut
State 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.