Shane Lemieux

BIOGRAPHY

Born on May 12, 1997, Shane Lemieux is an American professional football player recognized widely for his skill and determination on the field. Known for his dedication to the sport, Lemieux developed his passion for football at a young age, demonstrating extraordinary skills as a guard for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL).

Lemieux’s football journey started at West Valley High School where he played as both a tight end and offensive lineman. His raw talent caught the attention of many, and he was ranked as the 36th best offensive tackle prospect, a considerable feat at such a young age. He received offers from more than half of the prestigious Pac-12 teams, a testament to his exceptional skills as a player. As a 3-star recruit, he committed to Oregon, choosing the Ducks over competing offers from Boise State, Michigan, NC State, and South Carolina, among others.

During his freshman season, Lemieux took a redshirt year; however, he didn’t let the break hinder his progress. From 2016 to 2019, he didn’t miss a single start, proving his mettle in 52 games over these four seasons. Following a productive junior year, Lemieux and some of his teammates, including the talented quarterback Justin Herbert, almost left for the NFL Draft, but decided to stay on board.

Backed by an evaluation from the NFL’s College Advisory Board, which advised that he had more to gain from a return to school, Lemieux resumed his education and football training. His dedication bore fruit when after his senior season, he was honored as a second-team All-American by both the Associated Press and Sporting News. Adding to his growing list of accolades, Lemieux earned the title of first-team all-Pac-12.

The New York Giants, recognizing the potential and skill of the young football talent, selected Lemieux in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. He was the 150th overall pick, a notable achievement marking the launch of his professional career. Despite the challenging start to his professional journey amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Lemieux made his NFL debut on Monday Night Football, replacing the sick Will Hernandez as the left guard.

Lemieux’s inaugural season saw him securing the position as the primary left guard, even before Hernandez made a recovery, bagging 12 games with 9 starts as a rookie, despite allowing 25 pressures and five sacks. Unfortunately, injuries plagued the rookie player, and he was placed on injured reserve after aggravating a knee injury in Week 1 of his second professional season. Following surgery to repair his left knee’s patella tendon, Lemieux’s season was cut short, becoming the second Giants offensive lineman announced out for the year.

The 2022 preseason brought new challenges for Lemieux. He injured his toe in a game against the New England Patriots, leading to another stint on injured reserve. After being activated from injured reserve, he ended up back on the list due to reaggravating his toe injury. He finished the season playing 39 offensive snaps while continuing to face difficulties by allowing five pressures and a sack. His struggles with injuries continued into 2023 when he was placed on injured reserve after tearing his biceps in practice. Despite the continual setbacks, Lemieux showed his resilience and finished the season with 27 snaps and only one pressure allowed.

Seeking a fresh start, Lemieux made a career move by signing with the New Orleans Saints in April 2024. Although initially released by the Saints, he returned as a signed player for the practice squad and was soon after promoted to the active roster. In spite of the series of challenges and setbacks that marked his career, Lemieux’s unwavering commitment to football remains undeterred, demonstrating his enduring resilience in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of professional sports.