Campbell comments on death of Lions great Joe Schmidt

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell offered condolences to the family of legendary Lion Joe Schmidt on Friday and shared some thoughts on the Hall of Famer.

Schmidt, considered the greatest defensive player in Detroit Lions history, died Wednesday at the age of 92.

The 10-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler and former NFL MVP was a leader of the Lions’ championship teams in 1953 and 1957 and spent all 13 years of his playing career in Detroit. After retiring, he immediately joined the team’s coaching staff, spending one year as an assistant coach in 1966 before being elevated to the head job for the next six seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and was an inaugural member of the Pride of Lions.

During his end of the week news conference, Campbell was asked about Schmidt and offered some thoughts on the legendary Lion in addition to condolences to his family.

“I know enough to know that, you know, Hall of Famer, player, heck of a coach — both, player and coach — it’s a heck of a life,” Campbell said of Schmidt. “He will have seen it all, that’s for sure. I think he embodies everything that this city’s about and what this team is about. Well ahead of his time and where we’re at.”

Campbell also noted how much those former players and their support of the current team means.

“Especially when you hear from the old throwbacks, you know, when you hear from somebody else or you get a letter, you get a text, you hear something from a family member that appreciate what we’re doing here and what the style of play that we have, those make you feel good because you can really respect that, you appreciate that, so it means a lot, it really does,” Campbell said.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the team came up with a way to honor Schmidt during Sunday's game but no plans have been announced at this time.