CHARLOTTE — Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Dean Wells passed away Thursday morning, following a two-year battle with cancer.
He was 54 years old.
He was selected in the fourth-round of the 1993 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. After six seasons with the Seahawks, Wells joined the Panthers in 1999, where he played under linebackers coach Sam Mills and helped usher in a corps that included rookie linebacker Dan Morgan in 2001.
He concluded a nine year career with 529 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.
Wells was a standout at the University of Kentucky, where he set a single season sack record in 1992 with 10.0, as well as the record for most sacks in a game with 5.0, a record that still stands to this day.
Wells was positive during his fight, telling On3 last April he was taking on cancer the same way he attacked the football field.
"Show me who to tackle and I can do that," Wells shared with KSR. "This is in the doctors' hands and it's in God's hands."
Wells also spent the final year of his life passionate about informing people how they can help in the fight against cancer, sharing three ways he felt the strongest about: donating blood, donating to cancer research initiatives, and joining the bone marrow registry to see if you are a match for someone in need.
Wells is survived by his wife Lisa, and two sons. Our condolences are with his family and loved ones.
