Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Bill Zimmer, the father of Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, died Tuesday night.
The news was confirmed by a family friend of the Zimmers, according to WJOL.
Zimmer, who is in Mankato coaching the Vikings, did not miss Wednesday’s morning practice with the team, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. Zimmer missed practice one day last week when he took a flight to Florida to visit his father.
"It's hardest thing I think you go through, your father or mother, it's a tough time." -Norv Turner on Mike Zimmer #Vikings
— Master (@MasterTes) August 12, 2015
His 84-year-old father coached him in football and wrestling in high school, according to ESPN. The Daily Journal adds that Bill was inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in both sports.
Bill is also in the Bradley University coaching hall of fame, and both he and Mike were inducted into the Lockport High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
“He (Bill) was the original coach in the Zimmer family and obviously the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree,” linebacker Chad Greenway said, via the Pioneer Press. “The best way to honor him would be to go out and have a great practice and honor him.”
Mike Zimmer always spoke with reverence about his father called him a very tough guy
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 12, 2015
