Chief Zee
Chief Zee, real name Zema Williams, is a well-known fan and unofficial mascot of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. Dressed in a faux American Indian headdress, rimmed glasses, and a red jacket, Chief Zee has been attending Redskins games since 1978.[1] He, and other local sports personalities, are featured in a number of television commercials for Eastern Motors, a Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area car dealership.[2][3][4]
History[edit]
Chief Zee first showed up in costume on September 5, 1978.[5] In 1983, Chief Zee attended a game against the Eagles at Veterans Stadium. After taunting the fans, he was attacked by Eagles fans angry at [6] their team's 10-point loss to the Redskins - the fans broke his leg, tore off his original costume, and left him hospitalized.[7] The altercation hasn't kept Chief Zee from attending Redskins games in Philadelphia.
On August 9, 2008, the Chief 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 has a slender wooden handle with a rubber blade, and appears in many photos of Williams since he started attending Redskins games over 30 years ago.[8] By August 28, 2008, Chief Zee's tomahawk has been returned to him with the help of Redskins tight end Chris Cooley who got a call from someone that said they had it. He swapped a signed jersey for the tomahawk.[9]
Honors[edit]
- November 7, 1985 was declared "Chief Zee Day" in Washington, DC.
- 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[edit]
Some consider Williams' portrayal of American Indians to be offensive.[10][11][12] His use of a stylized headdress is often referenced as the reason for offense, as the headdress is a sacred, central cultural item for many tribes.[13]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Chief Zee Gave His Life to Redskins.....Maybe the Skins Can Help Save His". Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
- ^ "Eastern Motors Ad on YouTube"
- ^ "Another Eastern Motors Ad on YouTube"
- ^ "Another Eastern Motors Ad on YouTube"
- ^ "Super-Fan Chief Zee's Heartfelt Comfort to the Enemy". Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
- ^ "Washington-Philadelphia". dataBse Football.com.
- ^ "Grace Kelly came from this place?". Retrieved on 2007-11-11.
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/26/AR2008082603015.html
- ^ http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0808/548002.html?082908
- ^ http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2009/10/debating-chief-zee.htm[dead link]
- ^ http://www.stetsports.com/2009/09/how-chief-zee-could-change-the-history-of-washington-football/[dead link]
- ^ Milloy, Courtland (21 October 2009). "On the sidelines, the sad symbol of a sorry tradition". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
- ^ http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/pressrel/99-59.htm
External links[edit]
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