Legendary Hall of Fame linebacker, Joe Schmidt, who played a pivotal role in the Detroit Lions’ NFL championship wins in 1953 and 1957, as well as coaching the team, has passed away at the age of 92.
The Detroit Lions announced on Wednesday that Schmidt’s family had informed the team of his passing. No details regarding the cause of death have been provided.
Joe Schmidt, one of the pioneering middle linebackers in professional football, dedicated his entire NFL career from 1953 to 1965 to the Detroit Lions. Recognized as an eight-time All-Pro, Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the college football version in 2000.
During his Hall of Fame induction, William Clay Ford, the late owner of the Lions, humorously referred to Schmidt’s stature, stating that his relentless tackling had seemingly driven his neck into his shoulders, making him appear shorter than his listed height of 6-feet. Despite this, Schmidt possessed intangible qualities that surpassed measurable attributes when it came to assessing his abilities as a player.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Schmidt played college football at Pitt, where he transitioned from being a fullback and guard to a linebacker under the guidance of coach Len Casanova.
Recalling his time at Pitt, Schmidt credited the university for providing him with the opportunity to excel and develop his athletic skills, acknowledging that everything he had achieved stemmed from that initial chance.
Throughout his college career, Schmidt faced numerous injuries, but despite these setbacks, he was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft. With his exceptional speed, strategical prowess, and tackling proficiency, Schmidt quickly became an invaluable asset to the Lions during a time when defenses were evolving.
From 1955 to 1964, Schmidt earned a spot in the Pro Bowl for ten consecutive years. During this period, the Lions claimed two additional NFL championships, bringing their total to three in the 1950s.
A notable moment in Schmidt’s career came during a 1957 playoff game against San Francisco, where the Lions made a remarkable comeback after trailing 27-7 in the third quarter. Ultimately, they emerged victorious with a score of 31-27. This remarkable feat stood as the NFL’s largest postseason comeback until Buffalo’s 32-point rally against Houston in 1993.
Recalling the memorable game, Schmidt reflected on the team’s decision to unleash an aggressive blitzing strategy, stating that when faced with adversity, they were determined to give their all.
Upon retiring as a player, Schmidt transitioned to coaching and went on to serve as the head coach for the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1972, achieving a record of 43-35-7.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the sport, Schmidt was named to the NFL’s All-Time Team in 2019 as part of the league’s centennial season celebration. This distinguished honor came 46 years after his Hall of Fame induction.
Considering that Schmidt was initially perceived as an undersized seventh-round draft pick, his remarkable achievements throughout his football career speak volumes. In an interview with the Detroit Free Press in 2017, Schmidt expressed how overcoming skepticism and proving his critics wrong was a driving force behind his success.