Zema Williams (July 7, 1941 – July 19, 2016), better known as Chief Zee, was a well-known
fan and unofficial
mascot of the franchise then known as the
Washington Redskins. Dressed in a faux
Native Americanwar bonnet, rimmed glasses, and red jacket, Chief Zee began attending Redskins games in
1978.
History
Born in Colquitt, Georgia on July 7, 1941,[1] Williams worked as a
sharecropper and picked cotton as a youth. He later drove a truck, when he got a
draft notice in 1960. Two years later, he completed his military service at
Fort Riley, and returned to driving trucks. By 1968, he was a car salesman in
Washington, D.C.[2]
Williams first showed up in costume at
RFK Stadium on
September 10, 1978.[3] In
1983, Chief Zee attended a game against the
Eagles at
Veterans Stadium. Following their team's 10-point loss to the Redskins,[4] he was attacked, suffering a broken arm, leg and ribs as well as a torn original costume, leaving him hospitalized.[5] He returned the next year to Philadelphia but after a woman threw a beer in his face, it was his last time.[6]
On August 9, 2008, Williams set down his signature prop, a toy tomahawk, while he was signing autographs at the Redskins' preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. When he turned to retrieve it, it was gone. The 12-inch tomahawk had a slender wooden handle with a rubber blade, and appears in many photos of Williams since he started attending Redskins games over 30 years prior.[7]
By August 28, 2008, Chief Zee's tomahawk was returned to him with the help of Redskins
tight endChris Cooley who got a call from someone that said they had it. He swapped a signed jersey for the tomahawk.[8]
In his later years, Williams lived on Social Security and had difficulty walking.
Daniel Snyder, the former owner of the Redskins, purchased the scooter that he used. Williams also faced eviction due to not being able to keep up with his rent, but several fans used a
GoFundMe campaign to raise enough to pay both back rent and enough ahead that the situation would not arise again.[9]
November 7, 1985, was declared "Chief Zee Day" in
Washington, D.C.
In 2000,
Visa and the
Pro Football Hall of Fame selected the biggest fan of each of the then-31 teams and placed them in an exhibit in
Canton. He was the fan chosen for the Washington Redskins.
Controversy
Some consider Williams' portrayal of American Indians to have been offensive.[11][12] His use of a stylized headdress was often referenced as the reason for offense, as the headdress is a sacred, central cultural item for many tribes.[13]