Sean Lissemore (born September 11, 1987) is an American former professionalfootball player who was adefensive end in theNational Football League (NFL) for theDallas Cowboys andSan Diego Chargers. He was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the2010 NFL draft. He playedcollege football for theWilliam & Mary Tribe.

Lissemore grew up inDumont, New Jersey.^[1] He attendedDumont High School, where he was a three-year starter, both atoffensive guard,defensive end andlinebacker.

As asenior, he handledkickoff duties, recorded 120 totaltackles, ninesacks and oneinterception in his senior season. For his performance, he was selected to the First-team All-league as a linebacker and All-North Jersey Group 2, was invited to the Governor's Bowl andBergen All-Star game and earned honorable mention all-county honors.

He was a four-yearletterman and an all-league performer intrack & field in the100 (11.2 seconds) and200 metres (23 seconds).^[2][3] He also competed in theshot put (51 ft or 15.67m) and thediscus (140 ft or 42.67 m).^[2] He was also a three-year letter winner inwrestling,^[2] where he was an All-league performer and state medalist in the 215 pound weight class.

Outside of athletics, he was also a member of Captains for Tomorrows Children and the school'sjazz band where he played thesaxophone.

Lissemore accepted a football scholarship from theCollege of William & Mary andmajored inkinesiology. As aredshirt freshman in 2006, he collected 33 tackles (2.5 for loss) and one sack.

As a sophomore in 2007, he suffered a tornshoulder labrum and started 10-of-11 games atdefensive tackle. He recorded 43 tackles (4 for loss), 2 sacks and one interception.^[3][4]

As a junior in 2008, he started all 11 games, registering 51 tackles (7.5 for loss), and 4 sacks. On the season, he was the W&M QB Club Defensive Player of the Week twice (Towson/Richmond) and Special Teams Player of the Week once (New Hampshire). Against theUniversity of New Hampshire he had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

As a senior in 2009, he posted 66 tackles (14 for loss), 2 interceptions, 4 quarterback hurries, 4 passes defensed and one blocked kick, all while starting 14 games. He served as a team captain and along with futureNFL playerAdrian Tracy, contributed to a defense that allowed 61 rushing yards per game (first in the nation), 229 offensive yards per game (second in the nation), 12 points per game (second in the nation), 27 turnovers (13th nationally), 3.43 sacks per game (third in the nation), 8 tackles for loss per game (eighth in the nation) and a 28.1% conversion rate on 3rd down opportunities.^[5] He earnedAll-American honors from College Sporting News and Sports Network while also being selected to theAll-CAA First Team. He played in theTexas vs The Nation All-Star Game.

At his Pro Day, he recorded 36 reps 225 pounds,^[4] he also ran a 4.83 second40-yard dash and record a 30"vertical jump.^[6] In April before thedraft, he was invited to a private workout with theNew York Giants.^[7]

Lissemore was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the seventh round (234th overall) of the2010 NFL draft.^[8][9] He was declared inactive for the first 6 games of the season. He appeared in only two games, making hisNFL debut in week eight against theJacksonville Jaguars, where he recorded three tackles and half of a sack. He injured his left ankle on the opening kickoff of the ninth game against theGreen Bay Packers and missed the next 3 contests before being placed on theinjured reserve list on December 4.

In2011, Lissemore played in all 16 games as a reservedefensive end in the team's3–4 defense. He finished the year with 39 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks and 5 quarterback hurries. He also returned his first career kickoff for 38 yards against theDetroit Lions. Pro Football Focus determined that Lissemore was the third most efficient player on the entire Cowboys' defense in 2011, as well as the team's top run defender, making 14 stops on 107 run plays.

In2012, he played in 10 games, starting 6 atnose tackle in place of an injuredJay Ratliff. In September, the Cowboys reached a three-year extension with Lissemore. Lissemore’s deal was worth $6 million (plus incentives), had $3.1 million guaranteed and included a $2 million signing bonus. He suffered an ankle injury in the fifth game against theBaltimore Ravens, forcing him to miss the next 6 contests with an ankle injury. On the season, he tallied 43 tackles, one sack and one quarterback pressure. He had 10 tackles against theSeattle Seahawks.

In2013, the team switched to a4–3 defense and Lissemore was traded to theSan Diego Chargers in exchange for a2015 seventh round pick (#236-Mark Nzeocha) on September 1, because he wasn't seen as a good fit for the new scheme.^[10]

In2013, he played in 15 games (2 starts), registering 31 tackles (5 for loss), 2 sacks, 1 interception and atouchdown. Lissemore was productive all season, especially in the run game, posting a PFF score of +5.7 and was named the starting nose tackle in December. Lissemore intercepted a Robert Griffin III pass for a touchdown against the Washington Redskins. He missed the playoffs after suffering a shoulder injury.

In2014, played as the startingnose tackle and saw action in 15 games, finishing with 32 tackles and one sack. He recovered a fumble in overtime against the 49ers that helped the Chargers overcome a large second half deficit and win the game 38-35.

In2015, he appeared in 11 games (5 starts), tallying 17 tackles and 3 quarterback pressures, before being placed on theinjured reserve list with a shoulder injury on December 28, after he missed 4 games.^[11]

On August 15,2016, he was placed again on theinjured reserve list after not recovering from his previous shoulder injury.^[12] Lissemore was named the team’s 2016 NFL-USAA Salute to Service Award Nominee.[1]

In2017, he wasn't re-signed and announced his retirement on September 15.

In 2019, he was named theathletic director atSt. Mark's School of Texas.^[13]

• 1987 births
• Living people
• Dumont High School alumni
• People from Dumont, New Jersey
• Players of American football from Teaneck, New Jersey
• American football defensive tackles
• American football defensive ends
• William & Mary Tribe football players
• Dallas Cowboys players
• San Diego Chargers players

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from July 2024