Dean Wells, NFL linebacker and Kentucky legend, useless at 54 after most cancers battle

Dean Wells, who performed 9 years within the NFL after a memorable faculty profession, died on Thursday after a two-year battle with most cancers, the Panthers confirmed Friday.

He was 54.

Based on a number of experiences, Wells was identified with leukemia in 2023 and obtained a bone marrow transplant final spring.

Final yr, he spoke with On3 about his combat.

“Present me who to sort out and I can try this,” Wells informed the outlet. “That is within the medical doctors’ arms and it’s in God’s arms.”

Born in Louisville in 1970, Wells suited up for the Kentucky Wildcats, the place he was a standout defender and set the crew’s single-season sacks document (10) and single-game mark (5).

The varsity remembered his contributions in an announcement on social media.

“Condolences to household & pals of Dean Wells, who has handed away,” the soccer crew wrote on X. “A 3-year starter, he set a UK single-game document with 5 sacks vs. Indiana and went on to a 9-year NFL profession. After NFL retirement, he returned to hometown Louisville and was a staunch supporter of the Wildcats.”

Wells was taken within the fourth spherical of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Seahawks, a crew he performed with for six seasons.

He acquired the prospect to start out throughout his third season earlier than blossoming right into a power in his fourth season, recording a career-high 107 tackles throughout 16 video games (15 begins).

For every of his ultimate six seasons, Wells recorded a minimum of 45 tackles.

He performed his ultimate three seasons with the Panthers, ending his profession with 529 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions.

He’s survived by his spouse and two sons.