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Adam Zimmer's tragic death at 38 leaves NFL world devastated

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·5-min read
Adam Zimmer, pictured here during a Minnesota Vikings game in January.
Adam Zimmer look on during a Minnesota Vikings game in January. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The NFL world is in mourning after the sudden death of former Minnesota Vikings co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer at age 38.

An NFL assistant for 17 years, Zimmer is the son of previous Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

Corri Zimmer White, his younger sister, announced the tragic news on her Instagram page on Tuesday.

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“I can’t believe I’m writing this. I lost my big brother yesterday. The kindest, sweetest, family loving, sports obsessed soul there ever was,” Corri Zimmer wrote on Instagram.

“My heart is shattered and it hurts so bad. I don’t know how to juggle being a mom to one year old twin boys and the grief of losing my brother so unexpectedly.

"I’m so lost, I’m so overwhelmed, I’m so heartbroken.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Corri Zimmer White (@lilzimc)

No cause of death has been given.

Zimmer had been working as an offensive analyst for the Cincinnati Bengals this season.

When Mike Zimmer was fired by the Vikings in January, the majority of his staff were also dismissed - including his son.

"We are heartbroken to hear about the passing of Adam Zimmer," Vikings ownership said in a statement.

"Adam was a kind, respectful man, and over his years in Minnesota, it was evident he cared tremendously 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."

Adam Zimmer, pictured here taking the field before a Vikings game against the Chicago Bears.
Adam Zimmer takes the field before a Vikings game against the Chicago Bears. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Zimmer first broke into the NFL in 2006 with the New Orleans Saints, before he was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010 as an assistant linebackers coach.

He spent the 2013 season with the Bengals as an assistant defensive backs coach in Mike Zimmer's final season there as defensive coordinator.

"Our organisation has had the privilege of knowing and working with the Zimmer family for 15 years. We have the highest regard for Mike and Adam, and we are incredibly saddened by this tragic news," Bengals owner Mike Brown said in a statement.

"Mike and Adam were more than just coaches for us - they were friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Zimmer family at this time."

NFL world in shock over death of Adam Zimmer

Mike Zimmer's wife and Adam's mother Vikki died unexpectedly at age 50 in 2009. That was Adam Zimmer's last year with the Saints, when they went on to win the Super Bowl.

"We had fond memories of Adam from the four years he spent in our organisation as an assistant coach," the Saints said in a statement.

"Adam was knowledgeable, hard working, well-liked by everyone he came into contact with, and enthusiastic. During his time with the Saints, he quickly developed into an excellent coach."

Corri Zimmer White said in her Instagram post that Adam told her "countless times" how he loved watching her be a mother to his one-year-old twin nephews.

"My brother was one of my best friends, especially after my mom died, we became so close," she said.

"He was always there for me and always the first to show up and volunteer at my foundation events. I never even had to ask."

Tributes have been pouring in on social media.

with agencies

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