When rookie cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers on May 1, it came with some very special significance given what the team meant to his late brother.
The 49ers were a favorite of Lenoir's late brother, whom Lenoir paid tribute to with a Tweet shortly after finding out where he would be starting his NFL career.
Drafted to my brothers Favorite NFL team RIP I love you bro
Lenoir spoke to reporters briefly about his brother on Wednesday during media sessions that took place two days before rookie minicamp. He doesn't know exactly why his brother cheered for the 49ers but has a clear picture of how much he loved the team.
"I'm not sure how he became a Niner fan, but just knowing him, he always used to talk about the 49ers," Lenoir said.
Lenoir didn't share too many details about his brother's death but told reporters he was shot at a donut stand in South Central Los Angeles.
"Just wrong place, wrong time," Lenoir said. "That was a hard one for me because he was a role model for me."
He also revealed he has two tattoos on his body dedicated to his late brother.
"I actually have his birthday across my chest in Roman numerals and then also got a little scripture on my arm dedicated to him," Lenoir said.
Lenoir made it clear that he'll be proud to play for the same team his brother cheered for on Sundays. There's no doubt his brother would feel exactly the same.
"For them to draft me, it was just a special moment because he left his earth being a Niner fan," Lenoir said. "Me being able to play for the Niners, it's just an honor."
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