Washington, DC – Washington Redskins super fan Zema Williams, who was known as “Chief Zee” by the Washington Redskins’ passionate fan base, passed away Monday, July 18.
Williams began attending Redskins game in 1978, starting with a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, and continued to be a consistent visitor to the team’s home stadiums in RFK Stadium and FedEx Field throughout the years.
While Williams attended some of the Redskins’ classic games spanning multiple decades, his “Crank up that Diesel” line just before John Riggins famous run Super Bowl XVII-clinching touchdown run is still played on NFL Films to this day.
But it wasn’t just Washington, D.C., where Williams rooted on his beloved Redskins, as he was also on the sidelines in Dallas when Washington scored a historic comeback victory over the Cowboys that is now known as the “Monday Night Miracle.” Trailing for a majority of the game, quarterback Mark Brunell and wide receiver Santana Moss hooked up for two late touchdowns to clinch a 14-13 victory.
On Tuesday evening, July 19, fans held a vigil for Williams at Redskins Park.