Players

Jacques Cesaire (SEE-zair) is one of the most versatile players on the Chargers’ defensive line. He’s a player who can capably defend the run or rush the passer from either side of the line. Cesaire saw action in every game in 2008 and was called upon to start twice.

  Jacques’ interests include golf, bowling, basketball, shooting pool, playing video games and spending time with his niece, Nadia. He is an investor in Dlush Deluxe Beverage stores.

  Jacques is married to the former Jill Murray, his college girlfriend from Southern Connecticut State. In March, the couple had their first child, daughter Viviana. The Cesaires are devout Christians and often host bible study sessions and barbecues for teammates and close friends at their home in Scripps Ranch.

  Each offseason, the Cesaires return to Jill’s hometown of Groton, Connecticut and participate in the NFL’s United Way Weekend. It includes a football camp, as well as school and hospital visits. In 2008, Jacques was presented with a community service award from the United Way. He joined some of his NFL counterparts, Will Shields and Matt Birk, among NFL players who have been recipients of the award.

  The Cesaires oversee a nonprofit foundation that benefits the Monarch School in San Diego, a school for homeless teens. Cesaire also contributes to a Chargers’ program in which staff members feed the city’s homeless every Thursday night. Out of his own pocket, he purchases sandwiches that are distributed to the homeless.

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

  2009: Pressured and hit Chiefs' QB Matt Cassel that led to a Paul Oliver interception during week 7. Week 9, had first sack of the season. Also recorded six stops including two back-to-back stops in the redzone to force New York to a key field goal, keeping the Chargers alive. Recorded a forced fumble during week 11 contest at Denver. Recovered a fumble off of a Shaun Phillips sack in week 13 vs the Browns.

  2008: Threw key wedge-block during Darren Sproles’ team-record-tying 103-yard KOR TD Wk 2 at Denver…Wk 10 at Pittsburgh, two 3rd-down sacks before leaving in 4Q with knee injury.

 2007: Season-high 11 tackles Dec. 9 at Tennessee…1Q sack in Jan. 6 AFC Wild Card Playoffs vs. Tennessee.

 2006: Took over Wk 1 for inj. Igor Olshansky (knee) in 1Q and started Wk 2 and later Wks 6-7…FF in 3Q of Oct. 29 game vs. St. Louis was 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. Cleveland…started Wks 9-13 for Luis Castillo (ankle)…led DL with nine tackles and two QB pressures in 35-27 win at Denver Nov. 19...despite battling flu-like symptoms throughout Dec. 24 game in Seattle, racked up 1.5 sacks and TFL 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…INA for AFC Playoff game vs. NE.

 2005: Closed out 27-14 win at Oakland Oct. 16 with 4Q five-yard sack against Kerry Collins… season-high seven tackles Dec. 31 vs. Denver.

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

 2003: Played first-career game at Detroit Dec. 7...12-yard sack vs. Lions negated by penalty. 

 COLLEGE: All-America by AFCA as senior...Northeast-10 Conference DL of Year…Cactus Bowl all-star…all-conference first-team 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, was leading receiver as senior at D-III Fitchburgh (Mass.) State in 2004…married, Jill.