NFL in mourning after Bengals assistant coach Adam Zimmer dies at age 38

American football is in mourning after the unexpected death of Adam Zimmer, an assistant coach and son of former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer.

Adam Zimmer, an assistant coach in the NFL and the son of former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, has died at age 38. Pictures: Getty, Instagram

Adam Zimmer, an assistant coach in the NFL and the son of former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, has died at age 38, his sister Corri announced on Instagram.

Zimmer joined the Bengals this year as an offensive analyst. Previously, he held the title of co-defensive co-ordinator with the Vikings when his father was the head coach.

“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.”

A cause of death was not immediately known.

Mike Zimmer was the defensive co-ordinator for the Bengals from 2008-13 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 50 years old.

“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 president Mike Brown said in a statement.

Mike Zimmer. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

“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.”

Former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman also issued a statement, saying, “My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Zimmer and his family. Adam was a very good coach and a wonderful person. He will be truly missed.”

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins also said on social media that he was “deeply saddened” by the news, and called Adam Zimmer a “tremendous coach & person.”

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission

Originally published as NFL in mourning after Bengals assistant coach Adam Zimmer dies at age 38