CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — A two-year battle with cancer took the life of former Panthers’ linebacker Dean Wells on Thursday morning, according to the team. He was 54 years old.
Wells was a fourth-round draft by the Seattle Seahawks in 1993. He spent six seasons there before coming to Carolina, where he played under linebackers coach Sam Mills and helped a pass rush that included rookie linebacker (and now general manager) Dan Morgan in 2001.
In nine seasons, Wells finished with 529 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. His best season in black & blue was in 1999 when he recorded 80 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Before the NFL, Wells was a standout at the University of Kentucky. He set the single-season sack record in 1992 with 10 and the record for most sacks in a game with five (a record that the Panthers say still stands today).
Wells was adamant about informing people how they could help in the fight against cancer. He encouraged 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 and two sons.
