Mark Fields (American football)

Mark Fields

No. 55, 58
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1972-11-09) November 9, 1972
Place of birth:	Los Angeles, California
Career information
High school:	Los Angeles (CA) Washington
College:	Washington State
NFL draft:	1995 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
New Orleans Saints (1995–2000) St. Louis Rams (2001) Carolina Panthers (2002–2004)
Career highlights and awards
2× Pro Bowl (2000, 2004)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 769 Sacks: 34.5 Interceptions: 5 Player stats at NFL.com

Mark Anthony Fields (born November 9, 1972) is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League.

Career

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.

Fields 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.

He is a partner owner of a Real estate Company Rose and Fields in Avondale, Arizona. Mark does not hold a real estate license or a broker license.

He was a student at Washington Preparatory High School. He attended Southwest College and Compton College before attending Washington State. His son, Mark Fields II, has signed to play cornerback for Clemson.