Introduction
Mark Anthony Fields (born November 9, 1972) is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League.
Early years
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Fields attended Washington Preparatory High School, Southwest College, and Compton College. He transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, and played middle linebacker under head coach Mike Price. As a senior in 1994, he was All-Pac-10, and its Defensive Player of the Year.
NFL
Fields was the thirteenth overall selection of the 1995 NFL Draft, taken 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 and Super Bowl XXXVI, then signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2002.
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, but lost to the New England Patriots. Fields returned to play in 2004, and made the NFC team at the Pro Bowl. Fields was awarded an ESPY for comeback player of the year in 2004, as well as the ED Block Courage Award. He took part in forming the 'Keep Pounding" foundation with the Carolina Panthers.
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.
After football
Fields is owner of MLF Holdings, LLC, a real estate investment company that also does bridge loans, and owner of MLF Enterprises, LLC DBA/Best Dollar. He is currently working on his degree in business administration. His son, Mark Fields II plays cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings.