WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins announced Tuesday that the man who portrayed the team’s unofficial mascot Chief Zee has died.

In a statement, the team said they appreciated “Zema Williams’ unique passion and dedication to our football team and his fellow Washington Redskins’ fans.”

Williams was famous for wearing Native American headgear and has been appearing at games since the late 1970s.

He had been in ill health recently. And Redskins owner Dan Snyder provided him with a scooter so that he could continue to attend the games.

Fans in recent months created a GoFundMe account to assist with Williams’ with his finances and to help him avoid eviction.

The Redskins have come under fire in recent years for the team’s name and iconography by some Native American groups who say they are offensive.