On October 31, 2022, Cincinnati Bengals assistant coach Adam Zimmer was found dead in his Minnesota home at the age of 38.
Zimmer, who was also the former Vikings’ co-defensive coordinator, was reportedly found dead on his couch and “appeared to have bruising or blood pooling around his eye,” per a search warrant obtained by the Mendota Heights police department. The Dakota County District Court shared that the police were ordered to the coach’s home after he “passed out from drinking.”
Although an official cause of death has not been determined, Mendota Heights police department Capt. Wayne Wegener does not suspect foul play. A cause of death will likely be determined after the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office continues to investigate Zimmer’s passing.
At the age of 22, the coach began working for the NFL in 2006. He was initially selected by the New Orleans Saints as an assistant linebackers coach before moving on to coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. He began coaching the Bengals in 2013, while also working as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings while his father, Mike Zimmer, was the head coach. Given his significant history in the NFL, he will be sorely missed by the football community.
Adam Zimmer’s sister dedicates tribute to her late brother
In addition, his sister, Corri White, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram that expressed her grief in regard to her brother. “The kindest, sweetest, family-loving, sports-obsessed soul there ever was. I’ve felt pain like this once before but it’s been a while and I didn’t know I was able to feel like this again,” she said. “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. My brother was one of my best friends, especially after my mom died, we became so close,” Corri continued, reflecting on her relationship with her brother. “His support and love for me was SO big and I hope he knew how much I loved him. In the last year, he told me countless times how he loved watching me be a mom and how proud he was of me. “
Zimmer’s sister concluded her message with the sentiments, “Adam, I love you so much and I will miss you every second of every day until I see you again. Please watch over us and help us be okay.”