Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Joe Schmidt has died. He was 92.
Schmidt’s family said the Detroit Lions’ legend died Wednesday. No cause of death was revealed.
Schmidt was a 10-time Pro Bowler who helped the Lions win NFL championships in 1953 and 1957. The only linebackers with more Pro Bowl selections are fellow Hall of Famers Ray Lewis (12), Junior Seau (12) and Derrick Brooks (11).
Schmidt played in 155 games over 13 seasons (1953-65) with Detroit and had 24 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He also returned a fumble for a score.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Schmidt,” the Lions said in a statement. “Joe was a Lion through and through, having spent his entire career in Detroit, including 13 years as a linebacker and six seasons as our head coach. He patrolled the middle of our defense with such ferocity that he was named to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1955 to 1964.
“Joe was an enduring link to our Championship era and one of the proudest Lions you will ever meet. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and was an inaugural member of our team’s ring of honor, the Pride of the Lions, which will ensure his place in our history forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Marilyn, and the entire Schmidt family as we all mourn his passing.”
Schmidt entered the league as a seventh-round draft pick before becoming one of the top defensive players in the NFL. He was named NFL Defensive MVP in 1960 and 1963. After his player career ended, he was named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.
Schmidt and legendary running back Barry Sanders share the Detroit record of 10 Pro Bowl selections.
Schmidt compiled a 43-34-7 record as Lions coach from 1967-72 and guided the club to a 10-4 record and a playoff berth in 1970. However, Detroit lost 5-0 to the Dallas Cowboys in what was the franchise’s lone postseason game over a 24-season span.
Schmidt was a college star at Pitt before entering the NFL. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
–Field Level Media
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