Paul Zimmerman — or “Dr. Z,” as he’s been affectionately known for years — is a legendary pro football writer; for almost five decades, he chronicled the sport as only he could as it transformed into the nation’s true pastime.
He developed a passionate following mostly through his notable work at Sports Illustrated, where he of course covered football, but his coverage of other sporting events — particularly of the 1972 hostage situation at the Munich Olympic games — earned him legend status.
In 2008, that all changed for Zimmerman. The man, whose football writing career began in 1960, suffered a series of strokes, and since that time, he has been left without the ability to read, write or, for the most part, even talk.