Former Seattle Seahawks Draft Pick Died At 54

“Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Dean Wells passed away Thursday morning, following a two-year battle with cancer,” wrote Kassidy Hill of the Panthers. “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.”

Wells played in the NFL for nine seasons. He appeared in 129 games and started in 77, recording 29 tackles, six forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

Wells was a native of Louisville, Kentucky and played high school football for Holy Cross High School in Covington, Kentucky. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats, where he holds the record for most sacks in a game, recording five against Indiana during the 1992 season.

Fans remember Dean Wells

“Sad news Nick. When I was a freshman at UK a long time ago Joey Couch and Dean Wells were the best players on the football team. I don’t give a crap if those guys won 3 games I know they worked and played their butts off. RIP,” wrote a poster.

“I remember seeing him in full pads as a freshman at Holy Cross and thinking I wanted no part of getting hit by him. You could tell he would be special. RIP Dean,” posted another.

“I got to meet and talk to him at brown cancer center when my wife was going there. He was a great guy, he talked to me like we had known each other for years. So sad. RIP,” remembered a poster.