Adam Zimmer, assistant coach of the NFL and son of former Vikings manager Mike Zimmer, has passed away at the age of 38, his sister Run announced on Instagram.
Zimmer joined the Bengals this year as an offensive analyst. Previously, he held the title of defensive co-coordinator with the Vikings when his father was the head coach.
“I can’t believe I’m writing this. I lost my older brother yesterday. The kindest, sweetest, family-loving, sports-obsessed soul there has ever been, ”wrote Corri Zimmer on Instagram.
“My heart is broken and it hurts so much. I don’t know how to juggle being a mom to one-year-old twins and the pain of losing my brother so unexpectedly. I’m so lost, I’m so overwhelmed, I’m heartbroken. “
A cause of death was not immediately known.
Mike Zimmer was the Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2008 to 2013 before being hired as Vikings head coach. He was let go after last season by Minnesota after eight seasons. His wife Vikki died in 2009 at the age of 50.
“Our organization has had the privilege of knowing and working with the Zimmer family for 15 years. We have the highest respect for Mike and Adam and are incredibly saddened by this tragic news, “Bengals President Mike Brown said in a statement.
“We are heartbroken to learn of Adam Zimmer’s death,” the Vikings owner said in a statement. “Adam was a kind and respectful man and during his years in Minnesota it was evident that he cared a great deal about his family, his players, his fellow coaches and the Vikings front office staff. Our thoughts are with Mike, Corri, Marki and the entire Zimmer family. “
Former Vikings CEO Rick Spielman also released a statement, saying, “My thoughts and prayers go out to coach Zimmer and his family. Adam was a great coach and a wonderful person. We will truly miss him. “
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins also said on social media that he was “deeply saddened” by the news and called Adam Zimmer an “amazing coach and person”.
This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission
Originally released as an NFL in mourning after Bengals assistant manager Adam Zimmer passed away at age 38
