Chief Zee: 1941-2016
Washington Redskins super-fan Zema “Chief Zee” Williams was a fixture at Redskins games. The team’s unofficial mascot, Chief Zee attended every Redskins home game dressed in traditional Native American attire. He attended nearly every Redskins home game from 1978 to the time of his passing.
Before he became “Chief Zee,” Zema Williams picked cotton, and later became a truck driver. After serving two years in the military, Williams became a local car salesman.
Chief Zee was so beloved by his fellow fans, that a GoFundMe campaign was created to help him avoid eviction, and pay rent for the rest of his life. Redskins owner Dan Snyder even bought Chief Zee a motorized wheelchair once he was unable to stand throughout the game. In 2008, a fellow fan stole Chief Zee’s prop tomahawk prior to a preseason game against the Bills. With the help of Redskins tight end Chris Cooley, the tomahawk was returned prior to the start of the regular season.
When the Pro Football Hall of Fame created it’s fan exhibit in 2000, Chief Zee was chosen to represent the Washington Redskins with his own display.
Chief Zee passed away in his sleep on July 19, 2016, at the age of 75.