Lemar Marshall

Lemar Willie Marshall (born December 17, 1976) is a former American football linebacker. He was originally signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Michigan State.

High school career

Marshall was a first-team All-State pick as a senior at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1995. Lemar was a three-year starter at cornerback for the Bomber football team, including his sophomore year when he played on the state finalist squad. He was first team all-GCL and all-city as a junior and senior and was a first team All-Ohio pick as a senior. Lemar also earned three letters in basketball and was a second team all-GCL pick as a senior. He was abducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2008.

College career

Marshall was recruited by Michigan State University in 1995. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, including two at cornerback. As a sophomore in 1996, he posted 54 stops in 12 games. He started four of 12 games at strong safety as a junior, recording 79 tackles in 1997. As a senior in 1998, he finished third on the team with a career-high 101 tackles, and also recorded two interceptions, breaking up 16 other passes. At Michigan State, Marshall lettered all four years, compiling 261 tackles and 27 passes defensed. He was a merchandising management major.

Lemar

Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978), professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English R&B singer–songwriter and record producer. Lemar has had a run of chart success in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. He rose to fame after finishing in third place on the first series of British talent show Fame Academy, which was won by songwriter David Sneddon.

Since then, Lemar has had seven top ten UK singles and sold over two million albums. He is seen as one of the most successful artists to come out of a reality TV show. Lemar has also won two Brit Awards and three MOBO Awards to date and released his fifth studio album in 2012.

Early life

Lemar Obika was born in Tottenham,North London, England to Nigerian parents of Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria. He grew up listening to R&B and soul music. He used to sing at home with his brothers and sister, pretending to be The Jacksons.

He was 17 when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at 'The Temple' in Tottenham supporting Usher. Later on he gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at Cardiff University to pursue a musical career. Lemar had some success supporting various artists such as Destiny's Child, Total, Uncle Sam and Usher Raymond on their UK club tours and after some years, managed to secure a recording contract with BMG. Following this, he released his debut single "Got Me Saying Ooh". His record deal with BMG fell through in less than a year due to restructuring at the record label. He had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at NatWest in Enfield, North London.

Lemar (given name)

Lemar is a given name. Notable people with the name include:

See also