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Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale Honored by PFWA

Martindale was named one of three recipients of the 2023 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award.
Patricia Traina|
Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale Honored by PFWA
Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale Honored by PFWA

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New York Giants

New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale is one of three people selected as the 2023 Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award winners by the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA).

Martindale, the late Bobb McKittrick, and recently retired Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell were the three men selected for the annual honor, becoming the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd recipients of the Dr. Z Award instituted by the PFWA in 2014.

Other candidates considered for the award included the late defensive coordinator Thomas Catlin and the late defensive coordinator Floyd Peters.

The Dr. Z Award is given for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach in the NFL. It is named after Zimmerman, who covered the NFL for 29 years as Sports Illustrated’s lead pro football writer and who was widely considered one of the best football writers of all time.

He authored the 1970 book “A Thinking Man’s Guide to Pro Football, which has been recommended reading for aspiring football writers trying to learn how to write about the game. He also famously predicted the New York Giants would upset the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Zimmerman, whose career ended when a series of strokes left him unable to write and read, passed away in November 2008 at the age of 86.

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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