“I hadn’t even checked the horse’s name and ended up betting on it,” Dean Wells told The Seattle Times. He not only earned his opportunity to play in the NFL, but he bet on it. He literally threw money on a horse named Seattle Bound a few days prior to the 1993 draft without even checking the name. It won. And just ten days later, the Seahawks drafted him. Wells didn’t stop there. Cancer warrior, Panthers mentor, Seahawks anchor, and Kentucky record-breaker. His story was always bigger than stats. Now, the football community pays tribute to an icon who gave it everything on the field.
Sadly, Dean Wells passed away Thursday morning at the age of 54 after a tough two-year battle with cancer. His passing hit hard in the NFL world, with fans, coaches, and former teammates paying tribute to a man known for his grit and determination—both on and off the field.
Wells was already turning heads before he ever suited up in the NFL. Back in 1992, when he was a linebacker at the University of Kentucky, he racked up 10 sacks in a single season—including an incredible five sacks in one game against Indiana, a school record that still stands today. But it wasn’t just the stats that made his story stand out—it was the little signs that seemed to point to something bigger.
One memorable moment was shared on X by Chris Cluff, who posted about the “Seattle Bound” horse: “This is sad news. I remember Dean Wells as a solid player during his time in Seattle. Love this fun ‘he was destined to be a Seahawk’ anecdote passed along by Bob …” And sure enough, destiny played its part. The Seattle Seahawks drafted Wells in the fourth round in 1993, and he quickly made his mark.
This is sad news. I remember Dean Wells as a solid player during his time in Seattle. Love this fun “he was destined to be a Seahawk” anecdote passed along by Bob … https://t.co/iXkXkJfYQy pic.twitter.com/A5HcpsvjPU
— Chris Cluff (@CHawk_Talk) April 4, 2025
During his six seasons in Seattle, he was a rock of stability during the team’s tumultuous time. He led the 1996 Seahawks in tackles, racking up 107 stops in a season when the franchise itself was in flux, with former owner Ken Behring threatening to move the team to Los Angeles. Despite the chaos, Wells maintained his composure and ended his career with 529 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and three interceptions in nine seasons.
Linebackers coach Sam Mills coached Wells during his term with the Carolina Panthers in 1999. Mills, another legendary linebacker who also succumbed to cancer, helped mold Wells into a mentor for the Panthers’ young defensive corps. His impact extended off the field as he assisted in mentoring Dan Morgan, a rookie linebacker who went on to become a Panthers mainstay.
Wells wasn’t just a temporary veteran replacement. He established himself as a mainstay in the locker room—so much so that even years later, he got recognition as ‘Panthers LB Dean Wells.’ As Darin Gantt wrote on X, “RIP to former Panthers LB Dean Wells. He was just 54.” And his battle with cancer? He faced it bravely.
A fight Dean Wells took head-on
There had been battles before for Dean Wells. He faced some of the most talented players in the world during his nearly ten years in the NFL. He captained the Kentucky team, controlled the trenches, recorded over 500 tackles, and carved out a legacy as a relentless, intelligent defender. But nothing could prepare him for the battle he faced in 2023, not even the hardest Sundays.
Prior to Kentucky’s 2023 NCAA Tournament matchup with Providence, Wells received a diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was a moment that changed his life, but Wells met it head-on, just like he did with every opponent. “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.”
After starting chemotherapy at the Brown Cancer Centre at the University of Louisville, he entered remission in a matter of months. There was a sense of hope. He even looked forward to returning as a fan to Kroger Field. However, the cancer reappeared shortly before Kentucky’s 2023 football season started. This time, doctors recommended immunotherapy. It worked for some time. But just before Christmas, more heartbreaking news arrived: the cancer had returned. And it was more violent this time. In addition to attacking his physical health, the illness tried his patience, mental fortitude, and spirit.
“So many teammates have reached out. ‘You’re one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met. I know you’ll beat this.’ There’s mental toughness that comes into it. You have to have a positive attitude that you can beat it,” he said. “I’ve done everything that I can with that. It’s like the chemo either works or it doesn’t. You just don’t have a lot of control over it.” It was a tough battle indeed.
But what Wells had control of was his attitude. He opted to concentrate on the positive and was a lifelong optimist, a quality he attributed to his mother. “Not that I’m not scared and everything else you would expect with the possibility of dying,” he said, “but you still gotta find a way to enjoy every day and stay positive.” His wife, Lisa, was his rock throughout. Her first words after they got the diagnosis? “It’s okay. We got this.”
A linebacker was not all that Dean Wells was. He was a fighter, a leader, a family man, and a teammate. He leaves behind two sons, his wife Lisa, and a community that will remember him for his character as much as his tackles. A defensive enforcer. A legend from Kentucky. A man who, even in his latter days, spoke out for others.
That’s how we should remember Dean Wells. Rest easy, #95.
The post “RIP”: Panthers, Seahawks & NFL Community Mourns Tragic Loss of Legendary LB Who Passed Away at 54 After Cancer Battle appeared first on EssentiallySports.
