Mark Fields (American football)

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Mark anthony Fields (born November 9, 1972 in Los Angeles, California) is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League.

Fields played college football for Washington State University. He was selected in the first round (13th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He played six years in New Orleans, leading or coming close to the team lead in tackles. He later played one year with the St. Louis Rams before signing with the Carolina Panthers before the 2002 NFL season. However, before the start of the 2003 season, he learned he had Hodgkin's disease, and he was forced to sit the season out. Both he and linebackers coach Sam Mills were sources of inspiration for the team, who made it to Super Bowl XXXVIII before losing to the New England Patriots. Fields returned to play in the 2004 NFL season, and made the NFC team at the 2005 Pro Bowl. However, he learned before the start of the 2005 season that his Hodgkin's had returned, and so he turned down a new contract offer from Carolina. At this time, his jersey number (# 58) has been assigned to another player. It is unknown if he will return next season or at all. On NFL Total Access, Fields has mentioned that he fully hopes to return for at least a year in the future.

He was a student at cumberland High School

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