SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Mike Remmers tugged at the thick, white, elastic ring that has replaced his wedding ring, which won't fit because his finger is swollen.
Over and over he tugged.
The Carolina Panthers right tackle doesn't have to wear it, but he wants to.
"It makes me think of her," he said.
Her is his wife and best friend, Kelly.
The two have been together since they were high school sweethearts in Portland, Oregon. She was there for him when he was released by the Denver Broncos in 2012 as an undrafted rookie, a move he initially thought ended his football career.