Zema Williams, best known to Redskins fans as the colorful Chief Zee, has hit some hard times recently. The Wash. Times reports the iconic Redskins fan “who put the soul in the burgundy and gold” is wheelchair-bound following the amputation of a toe. He also spent 12 days in a veteran’s hospital for a stomach aneurysm. Between his ailments and his fixed income (social security), the chief does not see how he can return to FedEx Field this coming season.

Zee, the Redskins #1 fan, has not been injured since 1983 when fans in Philadelphia (where else?) attacked him, breaking his leg and destroying his costume (The NY Times). In 2000, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Visa honored him as an “Ultimate NFL Fan.” Zee is also known for his memorable appearance in the NFL Films Super Bowl XVII film. Sadly, the clip has not yet made it up onto YouTube or Google Video.

Currently, there is no fund set up to help out Chief Zee, but if-and-when one is established, Metroblogging DC will let you know.

By coincidence, his opposite number in Dallas, Crazy Ray, has also hit hard times.

Photo by Michael Connor of The Wash. Times – Redskins fan sidelined