Paul Zimmerman/Dr. Z passes away

[Clonamery]

Paul Zimmerman, legendary football writer, dies at 86

RIP.

Paul Zimmerman, the longtime football writer known for in-depth analysis and cantankerous opinions that appeared in Sports Illustrated for decades, has died at the age of 86.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

RIP Dr. Z. I always looked forward to his analysis.

He was the first (or one of the first) to do an NFL “power ranking”. I recall that in the week after Drew Bledsoe was injured and Tom Brady took over as QB for the 0-2 Patriots in 2001, he rated the Patriots in last place and said that he didn’t know if they had enough talent to win even another game. It was a rare miss for Dr. Z, one of the greats! RIP!

 

[Deus Irae]

10 years post-debilitating stroke, give or take. I hope he is at peace and, if it be God's will, in heaven.

And may his family find comfort in this time of loss.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

It was so sad for a writer of his caliber to be the victim of a stroke that robbed him of his words for a decade.
RIP, Dr. Z.

 

[Hercules Rockefeller]

I grew up reading Dr. Z in Sports Illustrated, and never missed his column, often skipping ahead to read it first. He was great at what he did, and he loved the sport so much. RIP Doc.

 

[anditsgood]

RIP

 

[Tunescribe]

A great scribe. I saw an interesting NFL Films documentary on him some time ago that looked at his very limited life post-strokes. I can't recall who it was that spoke for him but it was very, very well done.

 

[Patjew]

I loved reading his stuff when I was a kid in the 80s.

RIP. My thoughts to his family.

 

[Triumph]

I liked Z.

In a class all of his own. If I'm not mistaken BB thought very highly of him.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

In the 1986 NFL preview for SI, he nailed all 6 division winners and the Giants/Broncos Super Bowl. He wrote the "The best lineman in NFL history" cover story about Hog Hannah circa 1981. Always looked forward to his stuff. RIP.

Regards,
Chris

 

[Gwedd]

Dr Z spoiled me with his writing ability. When it came to football, the man was beyond great. He was a true wordsmith.

After his stroke, I realized how good he was when I was left with the other sportswriters to fill his void. They just didn't seem to be as pleasurable to read, and so I pretty much stopped reading them.

May the Angels of His Mercy bring solace to all his family and friends.

 

[Foxypats]

RIP. Condolences to his family.

 

[Jackson 2]

I liked Z.

In a class all of his own. If I'm not mistaken BB thought very highly of him.

Maybe, maybe not. But, my recollection is that he was no admirer of the Patriots.

 

[DarrylS]

When NFL reporting was only done by a select few and prior to the internet, he was the best scribe around. "Dr. Z" RIP...

 

[italian pat patriot]

i was also able to read his articles and appreciated them

riposa in pace

 

[RobertWeathers]

I loved reading his stuff when I was a kid in the 80s.

RIP. My thoughts to his family.

Yep. One of the few sports writers who actually taught the reader something.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

RIP
A great voice and a trailblazer, as others have noted above, has been lost.
One of my favorite things to do is read the progression of his opinion on Tom Brady in 2001 from skepticism after his first game (I recall that many were skeptical when Bledsoe went down) to growing admiration as the season went on. He always told it like he saw it and wasn't afraid to admit when his opinion changed.

 

[PatsDeb]

RIP Dr. Z and condolences to your red-headed wife Linda. I too considered your columns the best, and I even liked the awkward "She Says Z Says" football picks show you did with Brooklyn Decker. It must have been brutal to live as you had to since your stroke 10 years ago. Hopefully you are in a better place now.

 

[captain stone]

Whether it be a documentary of the 1983 draft or a Football Life of Dan Marino, Zimmerman is shown asking from where Marino will receive the QB coaching he needs. Uh...

 

[Hyped]

RIP, Dr. Z.

I expect a long "eulogy" from King this upcoming Monday.