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Dr. Z: The Lost Memoirs of an Irreverent Football Writer
During his nearly 50 years of sportswriting, including 28 at Sports Illustrated, readers of Dr. Z came to expect a certain alchemical, trademark words which were caustic and wry, at times self-deprecating or even puzzling, but always devilishly smart with arresting honesty. A complex package, that's the Doctor. The one-time sparring partner of Ernest Hemingway, Paul Zimmerman is one of the modern era's groundbreaking football minds, a man who methodically charted every play while generating copious notes, a human precursor to the data analytics websites of today. In 2008, Zimmerman had nearly completed work on his personal memoirs when a series of strokes left him largely unable to speak, read, or write. Compiled and edited by longtime SI colleague Peter King, these are the stories he still wants to see told. Dr. Z's memoir is a rich package of personalities, stories never shared about such characters as Vince Lombardi, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, and Johnny Unitas. Even Joe Namath, with whom Zimmerman had a legendary and well-documented 23-year feud, saw fit to eventually unburden himself to the remarkable scribe. Also included are Zimmerman's encounters with luminaries and larger-than-life figures outside of sports, notably Donald Trump, Rupert Murdoch, and Hunter S. Thompson. But not to be missed are Zimmerman's quieter observations on his own life and writing, witticisms and anecdotes which sway between the poignant and hilarious. No matter the topic, Dr. the Lost Memoirs of an Irreverent Football Writer proves essential, compelling reading for sports fans old and new.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 18, 2017
To sort of paraphrase Forest Gump, "This book is like a box of chocolates". Each chapter different from the others, yet still full of tasty goodness. Some places in the book may not be easy for the younger non Football historian. But that is more than made up for with little gems spread throughout the book that will make you laugh out loud, or just say "Holy crap"! I mean not many books go from Hemmingway t0 Montana to John Kiley (ex Red Sox Organist). As a Sports fan of a certain age I can tell you that it's a fun read.
December 18, 2017
It's too bad that Dr. Z wasn't able to finish the book himself and it had to be padded out with old Sports Illustrated articles, but it was still wonderful to read.
The cantankerous old sports writer actually paid attention to what took place on the field instead of storylines and human interest stories. He noticed the fine details of why plays or strategies succeeded or failed. He had a fantastic grasp of the history of the sport. The writing was always delivered with both genuine interest and wry wit.
The book covers his career as a writer and sportwriter, as well as his life in general. It jumps around from topic to topic, but stays interesting throughout. I'm disappointed I won't be able to read anything new from him again.
The cantankerous old sports writer actually paid attention to what took place on the field instead of storylines and human interest stories. He noticed the fine details of why plays or strategies succeeded or failed. He had a fantastic grasp of the history of the sport. The writing was always delivered with both genuine interest and wry wit.
The book covers his career as a writer and sportwriter, as well as his life in general. It jumps around from topic to topic, but stays interesting throughout. I'm disappointed I won't be able to read anything new from him again.
August 21, 2017
For those who may remember Dr. Z's incisive and witty Sports Illustrated columns, ended by a stroke in 2008, this autobiography is a welcome reunion with an old friend. Zimmerman is full of fantastic stories about the early days of his sportswriting career, including boxing with Earnest Hemingway and drinking with Hunter S. Thompson, and journalism nerds will enjoy. Unfortunately, Zimmerman had his stroke before he was able to complete writing the book, so it is isn't a complete narrative, and there is a lot of filler made up of his old SI columns. Still, Zimmerman's voice comes through strong and clear.
Read
February 2, 2018I expected i to be funnier- had no idea he covered the Olympics-72,76,80. best part of the book
April 6, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: SAD SITUATION OF LIFE FOR DR Z… BUT AFTER YOUR PRAYERS… A BIBLE OF SPORTS & FOOTBALL WRITING
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Dr. Z … Paul Zimmerman… was (you’ll understand the “was” shortly… as he is still with us) a sportswriter for almost fifty-years… twenty-nine of those years with Sports Illustrated. His knowledge and writings as S.I.’s football guru is not only legendary… but after reading this memoir…
Well … let me interrupt my own introductory sentences to… share some deeply sad information that makes the opening-introduction of my review… so painful… and uneven. Paul was working on this memoir when he was hit with three strokes in 2008. “Paul cannot read, write or speak. He has no alphabet so he can’t type out words on a computer as Steven Hawking does. Not only is Paul physically disabled and in a wheelchair, but his world is also closed off.” “He suffers from profound aphasia and apraxia. It is even difficult for him to point to his nose. He can clearly understand where his nose is located, but the signal from his brain to his hand to point to his nose becomes scrambled. The toughest part of all of this? The brilliance is still there. He is still as sharp as a whip. He gets the joke before the rest of us do. HE STILL SUFFERS NO FOOLS.”
To explain my review to follow… being filled with enormous sadness… joy… appreciation… total sports… AND LIFE… entertainment… to a sports and literary junkie… also is drenched in personal agony… that unfortunately increases with each dose of written greatness… throughout this book.
The old saying…. “THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF G-D GO I”… goes shooting through my blessed mind and soul continually…. As I absorb the beauty of this book. Fourteen years ago… I was diagnosed with a brain tumor… and almost died during the surgery. Before the surgery… I told my son and my surgeon… that I would rather die… being that I’ve always been blessed with a lightning quick mind… than be locked in a body and muted… I was blessed with full recovery. I get cold-hot-chills… as the greatness of Dr. Z’s historical words and observations are emanating from these pages. (Edited by friend and colleague Peter King) Realizing the tortuous hell on earth poor Paul Zimmerman is going through… as I had my own very real nightmares of possibly facing such a physical and mental sentence.
With that understanding being shared with potential readers… let me try to give you a brief summary of this book. It is an absolute dream of a read for any great sports fan. GREAT… because Paul writes… and feels… and explains… the mixed intricacies… of sports… integrated with life… whether … from not just telling you who the greats of football were and are… but why… and I mean “WHY”! When you get done reading the section on “ALL-TIME TEAMS”… you will never be able to accept any of the other myriad All-Pro type teams selected by others… mostly based on a popularity contest. After my fifty-five -plus-years… of living… dying… and playing sports… I now firmly do not believe that anyone has ever put in as much… study and research and preparation when picking these type of teams… as the infamous Dr. Z.
Aside from the ripped from the headlines sports stories… the reader will marvel and enjoy… his stories of boxing with Ernest Hemingway… arguing with owners and players… his idolizing early in his career… of sports writing greats like Jimmy Cannon… and perhaps my favorite… his rightful desecration of the airline industry… that I and every frequent-flyer… who is tall… and has a brain… and an ounce of logic… agrees with in spades. His stories covering the Olympics were master pieces… especially the 1972 Munich Massacre Olympics… which I have always carried within my heart and mind from that fateful day September 5, 1972… for reasons above and beyond… that I won’t go into here.
There are so many absolute classic quotes from writer’s heaven… that I would like to go on and on and share with you… but I’ll just tease you a little with this one about the ALL-TIME-GREAT-TOUGHEST-QUARTERBACK-JOHN-UNITAS…
After Unitas was cut by the Steelers he played sandlot-semi-pro football…
“Five years later, after Unitas had led the Baltimore Colts to two NFL Championships, Eagles quarterback Norm Van Brocklin was asked what made Unitas so great.” “He knows what it’s like to eat potato soup seven days a week” the Dutchman replied. “Unitas became synonymous with toughness on the field for stepping up in the teeth of the rush and delivering the ball. “ “I often thought that sometimes he’d hold the ball one count longer than he had to,” Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Merlin Olsen once said, “just so he could take the hit and laugh in your face.”
“I KEPT A PICTURE OF JOHNNY U OVER MY BED,” NAMATH ONCE SAID. “TO ME HE MEANT ONE THING---TOUGHNESS.”
I hope the type of toughness that Dr. Z respected throughout his life… helps him in this awful battle he’s locked in. I thank… as every sports fan should… Peter King… for taking the time and the empathy… to put this labor of love together for human beings like myself to so thoroughly enjoy… between the unavoidable tears and agony… feeling for the literary giant… who felt and wrote these words.
G-d bless!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Z … Paul Zimmerman… was (you’ll understand the “was” shortly… as he is still with us) a sportswriter for almost fifty-years… twenty-nine of those years with Sports Illustrated. His knowledge and writings as S.I.’s football guru is not only legendary… but after reading this memoir…
Well … let me interrupt my own introductory sentences to… share some deeply sad information that makes the opening-introduction of my review… so painful… and uneven. Paul was working on this memoir when he was hit with three strokes in 2008. “Paul cannot read, write or speak. He has no alphabet so he can’t type out words on a computer as Steven Hawking does. Not only is Paul physically disabled and in a wheelchair, but his world is also closed off.” “He suffers from profound aphasia and apraxia. It is even difficult for him to point to his nose. He can clearly understand where his nose is located, but the signal from his brain to his hand to point to his nose becomes scrambled. The toughest part of all of this? The brilliance is still there. He is still as sharp as a whip. He gets the joke before the rest of us do. HE STILL SUFFERS NO FOOLS.”
To explain my review to follow… being filled with enormous sadness… joy… appreciation… total sports… AND LIFE… entertainment… to a sports and literary junkie… also is drenched in personal agony… that unfortunately increases with each dose of written greatness… throughout this book.
The old saying…. “THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF G-D GO I”… goes shooting through my blessed mind and soul continually…. As I absorb the beauty of this book. Fourteen years ago… I was diagnosed with a brain tumor… and almost died during the surgery. Before the surgery… I told my son and my surgeon… that I would rather die… being that I’ve always been blessed with a lightning quick mind… than be locked in a body and muted… I was blessed with full recovery. I get cold-hot-chills… as the greatness of Dr. Z’s historical words and observations are emanating from these pages. (Edited by friend and colleague Peter King) Realizing the tortuous hell on earth poor Paul Zimmerman is going through… as I had my own very real nightmares of possibly facing such a physical and mental sentence.
With that understanding being shared with potential readers… let me try to give you a brief summary of this book. It is an absolute dream of a read for any great sports fan. GREAT… because Paul writes… and feels… and explains… the mixed intricacies… of sports… integrated with life… whether … from not just telling you who the greats of football were and are… but why… and I mean “WHY”! When you get done reading the section on “ALL-TIME TEAMS”… you will never be able to accept any of the other myriad All-Pro type teams selected by others… mostly based on a popularity contest. After my fifty-five -plus-years… of living… dying… and playing sports… I now firmly do not believe that anyone has ever put in as much… study and research and preparation when picking these type of teams… as the infamous Dr. Z.
Aside from the ripped from the headlines sports stories… the reader will marvel and enjoy… his stories of boxing with Ernest Hemingway… arguing with owners and players… his idolizing early in his career… of sports writing greats like Jimmy Cannon… and perhaps my favorite… his rightful desecration of the airline industry… that I and every frequent-flyer… who is tall… and has a brain… and an ounce of logic… agrees with in spades. His stories covering the Olympics were master pieces… especially the 1972 Munich Massacre Olympics… which I have always carried within my heart and mind from that fateful day September 5, 1972… for reasons above and beyond… that I won’t go into here.
There are so many absolute classic quotes from writer’s heaven… that I would like to go on and on and share with you… but I’ll just tease you a little with this one about the ALL-TIME-GREAT-TOUGHEST-QUARTERBACK-JOHN-UNITAS…
After Unitas was cut by the Steelers he played sandlot-semi-pro football…
“Five years later, after Unitas had led the Baltimore Colts to two NFL Championships, Eagles quarterback Norm Van Brocklin was asked what made Unitas so great.” “He knows what it’s like to eat potato soup seven days a week” the Dutchman replied. “Unitas became synonymous with toughness on the field for stepping up in the teeth of the rush and delivering the ball. “ “I often thought that sometimes he’d hold the ball one count longer than he had to,” Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Merlin Olsen once said, “just so he could take the hit and laugh in your face.”
“I KEPT A PICTURE OF JOHNNY U OVER MY BED,” NAMATH ONCE SAID. “TO ME HE MEANT ONE THING---TOUGHNESS.”
I hope the type of toughness that Dr. Z respected throughout his life… helps him in this awful battle he’s locked in. I thank… as every sports fan should… Peter King… for taking the time and the empathy… to put this labor of love together for human beings like myself to so thoroughly enjoy… between the unavoidable tears and agony… feeling for the literary giant… who felt and wrote these words.
G-d bless!
August 28, 2022
I was always a fan of Paul Zimmerman at Sports Illustrated, and when he began doing more personal writing for SI Online I began really enjoying his work even more. His was a master of the mailbag, an irascible crank who was never afraid to let his opinions fly...but always had pretty damn good reasons behind them. More than any other football writer, he paid attention to offensive and defensive line play and understood the techniques behind it. But beyond that he was more than happy to, nay eager, to explain it to the reader.
Dr. Z did a fine job telling you what happened in a game, if that was the story he was writing, but he was always more interested in why and how it happened the way it did. He paid attention to underdogs, and had the attitude of an old-school investigative reporter: comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And he always had the pen sharpened to a razor point to do it.
A series of strokes quieted his voice and pen, and before he finished this book. Peter King stepped in to help curate the notes and assemble things into a final form, and I'm grateful because it means we got this last word from a legendary writer. But the unfinished nature of it meant that some of the Story of Dr. Z remains unwritten and some of the in-depth personal stories we should have gotten (and we did get quite a few) had to be filled with reprints of earlier columns. It's too bad, but what we do get is gold.
I'd missed this grouch, his acid pen and his militant dislike of corporate scumbags. His instinctive reaction to push back twice as hard any time someone tried to shove him around. And it was a reminder that this wasn't some football-only lunatic; Dr. Z could write about anything from wine to the Olympics.
Great stuff. And I time the anthem at the Super Bowl every year in his honor (he's right: it's always too slow).
Dr. Z did a fine job telling you what happened in a game, if that was the story he was writing, but he was always more interested in why and how it happened the way it did. He paid attention to underdogs, and had the attitude of an old-school investigative reporter: comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And he always had the pen sharpened to a razor point to do it.
A series of strokes quieted his voice and pen, and before he finished this book. Peter King stepped in to help curate the notes and assemble things into a final form, and I'm grateful because it means we got this last word from a legendary writer. But the unfinished nature of it meant that some of the Story of Dr. Z remains unwritten and some of the in-depth personal stories we should have gotten (and we did get quite a few) had to be filled with reprints of earlier columns. It's too bad, but what we do get is gold.
I'd missed this grouch, his acid pen and his militant dislike of corporate scumbags. His instinctive reaction to push back twice as hard any time someone tried to shove him around. And it was a reminder that this wasn't some football-only lunatic; Dr. Z could write about anything from wine to the Olympics.
Great stuff. And I time the anthem at the Super Bowl every year in his honor (he's right: it's always too slow).
January 14, 2020
Thank God for memoirs and e-collections. We can still have the scribbles and posts from Dr. Z.
It's painful to see what could have been with his memoirs, but I'll take it. I challenge any sports fan to find a better football mind and writer who can nail tone, character, with a deft style like Paul Zimmerman delivered.
You can easily read a chapter at a time. This is a nibbler. Start in Training Camp and carry through the playoffs.
With any all-time argument, I'll always refer to Zimmerman's calls within the early chapters. I'm glad that Peter King devoted some time to this because we have a 'Best Of' to easily pull a 'way it really was' into a discussion.
Dr. Z Forever.
BD
It's painful to see what could have been with his memoirs, but I'll take it. I challenge any sports fan to find a better football mind and writer who can nail tone, character, with a deft style like Paul Zimmerman delivered.
You can easily read a chapter at a time. This is a nibbler. Start in Training Camp and carry through the playoffs.
With any all-time argument, I'll always refer to Zimmerman's calls within the early chapters. I'm glad that Peter King devoted some time to this because we have a 'Best Of' to easily pull a 'way it really was' into a discussion.
Dr. Z Forever.
BD
January 13, 2018
Liked the parts about Dr. Z's time working for my hometown newspaper, The Sacramento Bee, early in his career. Made me think of some of its other great old writers, Bill Conlin, Joe Hamelin, S.L. Price, and Pete Dexter. The essay on collecting also struck home, since I'm charmed/cursed with the gene too. It's a tribute to his family and friends that they were able to complete this memoir. I'm just truly sorry that the good Dr. could not complete it himself, but he should be immensely proud of their efforts.
May 25, 2020
Kudos to Peter King for putting this book together.
It is too bad Dr. Z had multiple strokes while writing this book and was not able to put all his memories together, considering his interesting life story.
I found the book more interesting when he was actually not going through the Xs and Os of football too much, which I found boring.
I believe half of this book is for football fanatics. The other half has good stories about people involved in the NFL and also dives into different topics such his personal life, collectibles etc which I found more interesting.
It is too bad Dr. Z had multiple strokes while writing this book and was not able to put all his memories together, considering his interesting life story.
I found the book more interesting when he was actually not going through the Xs and Os of football too much, which I found boring.
I believe half of this book is for football fanatics. The other half has good stories about people involved in the NFL and also dives into different topics such his personal life, collectibles etc which I found more interesting.
October 17, 2025
I really like Dr. Z's writing style, and the fact that he is so knowledgeable about football, football history, wine and many other things made the book very enjoyable to read. If one isn't much into football this probably isn't the book for them, but I found even the articles about old coaches, teams and the non-flashy offensive and defensive positional players of years past to be very interesting to read about. Along with a fine sense of humor throughout, this one is worth a read for fans of football and good writing.
January 27, 2021
50+ years of football history and irrelevant stories. This is a treasure. Perhaps I missed it, but I did not see (or hear, since this was in autobook version) any mention of Tom Brady. Dr Z's unfortunate stroke that caused him to stop writing occurred during the 2007, when Brady had already accumulated three Super Bowl ring, ascended to top-10 in all QB statistical categories, and en route to a historic undefeated regular season.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2017
I am so glad I took Peter King's recommendation and read this. I remember reading Dr. Z as a kid when I subscribed to SI. What I was most impressed with here was the non-football content especially his great writings on the Olympics. A great voice and even better person silenced too soon. Thank you Peter for being a great friend to him and getting this published.
September 22, 2017
Memoirs in the Style of Hemingway and Joan Didion. Fascinating reflections on the politics of the Olympics over many years. Funny and poignant reflections on dating after divorce, the battle of wine tasting, keeping statistics about weird things. Not just a great gift for those who like football. A great read.
January 23, 2018
It was definitely a hodgepog of the author's life, spanning both his personal life (collections) to his professional career covering sports. He was obviously a wealth of knowledge for early football; but, I most enjoyed the sections on the various Olympics (Mexico, Munich, and Moscow) that he covered. Incredible, on the ground, perspective!!!
October 31, 2018
I have only made it about 22 pages in. Dr'Z's writing is what I expected it to be. However, the copy editing is so atrocious that it jars me out of being able to enjoy the book. Within about a page you have "The NFL become my personal province," then "out quarterback was out," then "people liked to make an occasional wagers." Ugh. Just ugh.
March 25, 2023
Lots of great stories in here but a few feel out of place. Overall a great review of sports going through 50 years. Not as much football as you expect but some enjoyable pieces on collecting, plus some great insights on Olympics. Could have done without the National Anthem timings but I guess that’s what makes Dr. Z who he is.
May 23, 2023
Trying to dig back in my memories, I was gifted I subscription to Sports Illustrated as a 10 or 11 year old by my parents. I remember reading Steve Rushin and Rick Reilly. After reading this book, I think I can start to remember reading Dr. Z. What am interesting life he lived, with some truly funny, compelling, interesting stories that he shares in his truly unique way of storytelling.
January 5, 2018
If you are into the history of pro football, I highly recommend this book. He talks about Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, and Joe Montana. He also discusses sparring with Ernest Hemingway. Enjoyable read.
December 1, 2017
Good Read
The football sections of the book were superb. The wine tasting and collectibles portions less so. But a fun read, overall.
The football sections of the book were superb. The wine tasting and collectibles portions less so. But a fun read, overall.
June 13, 2018
I picked this up because I enjoyed Dr Z’s football writing, I ended up appreciating his non-football stories most in this book. His reporting on the Olympics he attended had me wanting more.
December 21, 2018
Great book
Love it. A learned a lot about writing from Dr.Z and I love reading 📚 his prose again. God bless him.
Love it. A learned a lot about writing from Dr.Z and I love reading 📚 his prose again. God bless him.
November 9, 2018
The last interesting football writer. I've missed him.
February 4, 2022
An interesting autobiography about long time Sports Illustrated football writer Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman.
November 28, 2017
Paul Zimmerman is a legend, the first football writer to make film review and analytics a regular feature in his work. As evidenced by his earlier books such as A Thinking Man’s Guide to Football or The Last Season of Weeb Ewbank, his experience, connections and comprehensive grasp of football strategy allowed him to put star players, iconic coaches, pro football trends and even game plans into historical perspective.
It’s a shame those qualities are overshadowed here by a writing style that can’t hide the self-important prig between the covers. The last half of this ‘memoir’ is dominated by a relentlessly prickly personality that would send me fleeing toward the closest exit before the pedantic bitterness chokes the life out of the room.
It’s a shame those qualities are overshadowed here by a writing style that can’t hide the self-important prig between the covers. The last half of this ‘memoir’ is dominated by a relentlessly prickly personality that would send me fleeing toward the closest exit before the pedantic bitterness chokes the life out of the room.
October 2, 2017
As a sports fan of a certain age, I remember fondly reading the doctor's interesting and detail take on the week of football and other life's mysteries. This auto-biography is bittersweet in that it allows me to hear a voice from my youth, only to be reminded that that voice has now been muted. One definitely needs to be familiar with the style of writing often found in Mr. Zimmerman's articles, but be aware that this is not a sports book, but a book on the life of a writer.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews