The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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60 THE WOLVERINE ❱ NOVEMBER 2025 BY ANTHONY BROOME T he Michigan community recently mourned football alum Zia Combs, who passed away on Oct. 12, 2025, at age 44. When word spread that the former defensive back had died, memories of his legacy were not of games or stats, but instead of a man who went on a journey that went far beyond the football field. He was known as a man who refused to quit. Not when life knocked him down as a younger person, and not when his football career was taken from him in Ann Arbor far too soon. Combs' legacy is not one defined by loss, but by perseverance and making the most out of the life that was given to him. "I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of my college teammate, Zia Combs," former U-M wide receiver Jer- maine Gonzales (2000-04) said on social media. "We shared the field, the locker room, and memories that will last for- ever. Rest easy, brother — your spirit and smile will never be forgotten. Praying for the family!" "To the family of Zia Combs, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I saw Zia last year, on his way to a Michigan game… I will always remember Zia for being so kind. His presence will be greatly missed," a former U-M staffer wrote on his memorial page. The Football Alumni of Michigan also put out a statement, saying: "We are deeply saddened at the news of the pass- ing of Zia Combs. Zia had a remarkable story. … He was a true inspiration and was loved by many. May he rest in peace, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family." Combs was born on March 17, 1981, in Lexington, Ky., and raised in a tough neighborhood. Combs lost his mother and uncle to a rare neurological disease, and he used football as an outlet. "Football was my escape," Combs told SB Nation's Maize n Brew in 2014. "It has shaped me into the man that I am today. I feel like people play sports for differ- ent reasons. I did it to get away from all the other things that were going on in my life. "Some kids can go and hug their mom and play with them; I couldn't do those things." Combs grew up with an affinity for the Michigan program and earned a scholar- ship offer after impressing with his work ethic and skill set. He was identified on film in a play that showed off his hustle and told the staff everything it needed to know about his football character and motor. Then, he played through a jammed finger at a Michigan camp and made his mark. That was all they needed to know. Combs joined the team in 2000, ini- tially as a wide receiver before moving to defensive back. His toughness and speed impressed head coach Lloyd Carr, and his drive and team-first attitude earned the respect of his teammates. But the same drive that got him to Michigan would soon be tested in ways no young athlete should ever face. U-M took on the Penn State Nittany Lions on Oct. 12, 2002, and one of the plays inside of the showdown would al- ter Combs' life forever. On a punt, the redshirt sophomore collided headfirst with teammate and linebacker Ernest Shazor, whose knee struck the top of Combs' helmet. He fell motionless, and the crowd of well over 100,000 at the Big House sat silently while Combs lay temporarily paralyzed on the field due to a head and neck injury and had to be removed from the field in a gurney. Combs was rushed to U-M Hospital and released the next day after observa- tion. He was initially optimistic about his outlook, but was told by trainer Paul Schmidt that his football career had come to its conclusion. "From there, there were so many emo- tions going through my body," Combs told Maize n Brew. "You worked so hard for something. As a kid you liked it, and ❱ IN MEMORIAM Former U-M Defensive Back Zia Combs Passes Away At 44 A hit to his helmet during a game against Penn State in 2002 paralyzed Combs temporarily and ended his football career permanently. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY