Paul Zimmerman, a pro football writer whose deep understanding of the game informed his work at Sports Illustrated and influenced the way other reporters covered the sport, died on Thursday in Noblesville, Ind. Also known as Dr. Z, he was 86.
His wife, Linda Bailey Zimmerman, confirmed the death, at an assisted living facility.
Mr. Zimmerman’s tenure at Sports Illustrated ended in 2008, when he had three strokes that left him unable to write and read and almost unable to speak.
Over nearly 30 years at the magazine, his sharp writing and sophisticated dissection of the complexities of football gave him a national voice.