Marqise Lee

Marqise Lee was born on November 25, 1991, in Long Beach, California. He experienced a challenging childhood, frequently moving and eventually becoming a ward of the state. Despite these difficulties, Lee excelled in high school at Junípero Serra in Gardena, California, where he was a standout wide receiver and sprinter. He garnered attention as one of the top high school recruits in 2011, ultimately committing to the University of Southern California (USC).

During his college career at USC from 2011 to 2013, Lee made a significant impact. As a true freshman in 2011, he secured a starting position at wide receiver and concluded the season with 73 receptions for 1,143 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was recognized as the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Co-Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Pac-12 second team. His sophomore year in 2012 was particularly notable; he set Pac-12 Conference records for receiving yards and return yards in individual games. Lee finished that season with 118 catches for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him the 2012 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver and unanimous All-American honors. His collegiate career concluded with 248 receptions for 3,655 yards and 29 touchdowns before he declared for the NFL Draft.

Lee was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played for the Jaguars from 2014 to 2019, signing a four-year, $5.14 million contract in 2014, and later a four-year, $38 million extension in 2018. Over his five seasons with the Jaguars where he played, he accumulated 174 receptions for 2,184 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. His professional career also included stints with the New England Patriots in 2020 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, although knee injuries and opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited his playing time in his later years. He last played in 2019.