Forum The Longship Paul Zimmerman (Dr. Z) passes away at 86

Paul Zimmerman (Dr. Z) passes away at 86

SF
Joined Dec 2013
14 posts
Rep: 17

Sad day.  Dr. Z was just an incredible football writer for SI for many years, although I didn't really start reading his stuff until the internet came around in the late 90s, early 2000s.  I've really missed his columns over the past 10 years after he suffered a stroke in 2008.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/01/paul-zimmerman-legendary-football-writer-dies-at-86/

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.
Zimmerman, affectionately known as Dr. Z, understood the sport of football in a way few if any members of the media before him did: Zimmerman would write not only about the running back who gained 100 yards, but about the offensive linemen who made it possible — and he would explain in great detail how the offensive linemen did it, often interviewing players and coaches not just to get a glimpse of their personalities but to get minute details like what went into a proper three-point stance.
In the 1980s, when fans didn’t have NFL Sunday Ticket or DVRs or access to all-22 game film, Zimmerman made use of the then-new VCR technology to watch games over and over again, looking for little-known players who made a big difference to their teams. You could get a profile of a star quarterback anywhere, but only Dr. Z could tell you who the best guards in the NFL were, and why.
(more in the link above)

#1 · Nov 1, 5:59 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

RIP Dr. Z. His "wasted pick" comments about Chris Doleman notwithstanding, he was a great and insightful writer. In this age DIY journalism, I miss a guy like Zimmerman. 

#2 · Nov 1, 7:00 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

meh, he was as anti Viking as you could get.  he wrote a column the year Yary got in saying Yary was not as deserving as Jack Youngblood because he lost four Super Bowls showing Yary didnt show up for big games.  LOL Yary went to 4, Youngblood 1.   Yary beat Youngblood 3 out of 4 times in the playoffs.   Screw Dr. Z

#3 · Nov 1, 8:23 PM
DE
Joined Apr 2026
206,342 posts
Rep: 0

Man, time is flying...

I can't believe Doc Z was 86 already. 

RIP

#4 · Nov 1, 8:53 PM
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Forum The Longship Paul Zimmerman (Dr. Z) passes away at 86

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