Ex-NFL linebacker Dean Wells dies at age 54 after two-year cancer battle

Former NFL linebacker Dean Wells has died at the age of 54 after a two-year bout with cancer.

Wells, who played nine years in the NFL with the Seahawks and Panthers, died on Thursday morning.

His death was confirmed by the Panthers, with whom he spent the final three years in the NFL.   

Wells, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2013, is survived by his wife Lisa and the couple’s two sons.

The Louisville native, who starred at the University of Kentucky in college, spoke candidly about his cancer diagnosis last year. 

‘Show me who to tackle and I can do that,’ Wells shared with On3 site KSR. ‘This is in the doctors’ hands and it’s in God’s hands.’ 

Former NFL linebacker Dean Wells began his career with the Seahawks in 1993

Wells was selected in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Seahawks, and went on to become a significant part of the team’s defense over the next six years.

In 80 games (50 starts) he racked up 330 tackles, including a career-high 107 in 1996. 

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